Category Archives: Memes and Link-Ups

7 Quick Takes: Can’t Put My Finger On It

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7 Quick Takes

I’ve been staring at this window for two days and trying to figure out why I can’t come up with Quick Takes. In the course of my Internet ablutions today, some things have become apparent.

— 1 —

I’m depressed. Anyone who knows me isn’t going to be shocked by this. It’s a battle I’ve been fighting for almost 20 years, 13 of them with the help of medication. I’m not exactly quiet about it but I also don’t wear it on my sleeve. Probably the biggest sign of it is that I retreat more deeply inward than I already happen to be. I don’t eat, I sleep all the time… The last time this happened was two years ago when we moved to California. I lived with Daniel at my in-laws’ house for a month when we first got there and my mother-in-law slowly got me back up to being functional. Still, I’m taking my meds, I’m *trying* to eat, and I’m letting my body rest so hopefully this is temporary and I’ll rebound soon.

— 2 —

I’m jealous. Don’t get me wrong, I love Daniel more than anything in this world (he’s right below Jesus) but it’s hard to be the mom of an autistic kid when your friends post videos of the cute things their kids do. It’s almost enough to make me want to give up Facebook… except that some of them do it on their blogs. I think the thing that’s the hardest for me is that Daniel is so delayed in his speech that it’s hard to know what he wants at times. I know that he will eventually talk — it’s just going to take some time. MORE time.

— 3 —

I’m lonely. I finished Style, Sex, and Substance this weekend and I’ve been feeling bummed because I don’t have people like that who are my age around here. As much as I’m an introvert, I wish I had people with whom I can hang out who are my age. Perhaps, I should try to get to know some of the parents of the kids in Daniel’s class better.

— 4 —

I’m PMS’ing. My period is being weird which is probably contributing to the general feeling of malaise. Unfortunately, my comfort food is Coke and I tend to crave meat in the form of burgers so I can’t say that my diet is really helping either. *sigh* Must learn to like spinach more during this time…

— 5 —

I hate heat. It’s supposed to be near 100F in the next few days. Yeah… no desire whatsoever to be outside unless it’s a dire necessity. This does not bode well for exercise as my exercise of choice is walking. What? Go for a walk in the early morning? But that’s when I sleep! OK… must fix this.

— 6 —

I’m also humbled. I was hurt by something that happened two months ago and finally God smacked me with a 2×4 and said “be that person” which led me to talk to those who hurt me. We’re talking it out and I’m wishing that I’d said something sooner.

— 7 —

Brett’s Blogathon is helping to get me out of my funk. I’m totally excited about it in a way that I haven’t been excited about something in a long time. Come check it out at Blogging for Brett!

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: May 28, 2012

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY May 28, 2012

Outside my window… sunny and warm — 80’s probably.

I am thinking… that I should have turned the A/C on sooner.

I am thankful… Daniel finally went down for a nap through I’m hoping it wasn’t because he pitched off the coffee table and onto his head. (I’ve been monitoring his pupils and they were normal before he went down.)

In the kitchen… dishes to be done.

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

I am creating… this entry and planning stuff for Brett’s Blogathon.

I am going… to check on Daniel. (Just checked on him — he’s breathing fine.)

I am wondering… how much wood a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood. (I usually just delete this question.)

I am reading… A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny. I finally finished Style, Sex, and Substance this weekend as I had a few long drives where I wasn’t the one driving and could tuck in with my NOOK.

I am hoping… I can force myself to do some reading so my library books don’t sit for three weeks.

I am looking forward to… watching either “Hawaii Five-O” or “Hart of Dixie” tonight. (It’s the pilot of “Hart of Dixie” which I’ve seen a number of times so I might watch “Five-O” instead.

Around the house… dishes to do and Cheerios to vacuum up.

A favorite quote for today… “Thirty was so strange for me. I’ve really had to come to terms with the fact that I am now a walking and talking adult.” — C.S. Lewis (I just turned 32.)

One of my favorite things… Daniel sitting on the coffee table next to me eating Cheerios and trying to feed them to me.

A few plans for the rest of the week: OT meeting for Daniel and… I think that’s it. It’s strange not to have a laundry list of plans.

A peek into my day… Cullen helping with the laundry. Now if I could get him to do the dishes.

Cullen helping with the laundry.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

7 Quick Takes: Jesus Music, Political Grumping, and Brett’s Blogathon

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

I downloaded a Mandisa song. Hades hath officially frozen over. It’s the “Good Morning” song and I got it off iTunes because I love the Toby Mac section in which he starts out going, “Top of the morning to ya ‘Disa!” It got stuck in my head and I finally had to download the song to get it out. I would normally rather have my nails pulled out with pliers than listen to Mandisa but this song is OK even if it has a “Jesus is my boyfriend” feel. Here’s the video:

— 2 —

The song blowing me away at the moment is “Jesus, Friend of Sinners” by Casting Crowns. Casting Crowns does it again in coming up with a song that is completely quotable. I honestly can’t come up with a “best” lyric because it’s all wonderful. The more interesting of the lyric videos is below.

— 3 —

In case anyone doesn’t normally read my blog, I have a cool eclipse pic. My suburb of Sacramento was too far south to get the full ring but I got what looks like a cat’s eye. My parents brought eclipse glasses up with them when they came for the communal birthday on Saturday so I got to watch it staring at the sun. It was quite spectacular and if Jon hadn’t had baccalaureate on Sunday night, we might have gone north to a place where we could get the full ring. Here’s the pic:

The eclipse from my porch.

— 4 —

I’ve had large amounts of insomnia which leads to naps while Daniel is at preschool. I’ve found that if NPR or Airline Pilot Guy don’t manage to put me to sleep, a good episode of old school “Mythbusters” does. Explosions calm me. If only I could get “World’s Wildest Police Chases” or COPS streaming on Netflix…

— 5 —

I’m continuing to be thankful for my pledge not to discuss electoral politics this election season. I’m blown away by the rhetoric from both sides in the presidential, Congressional, and Prop 29 campaigns. Some of it, especially in the presidential campaign, are outright lies. I knew our country was polarized but seriously… get a grip, people. Even if you think someone is a complete idiot for supporting the candidate they do, you don’t have to be rude about it. I wish I could actually do some of my own campaigning but it would really not be good to do as the pastor’s wife. Anything I say/do reflects on Jon and has the significance of Jon saying it which isn’t great because he and I are on opposite sides of the political coin.

— 6 —

The one thing we do agree on is that the “No on 29” campaign is the work of Satan in the form of the tobacco companies. It’s absolutely hideous that those monsters have come into California and are outspending the “Yes on 29” campaign 8-1. I don’t believe smokers have rights. It’s a filthy and disgusting habit and I think it should have as high a tax as possible to discourage people from doing it. I also believe those jerks who drop their butts on highways and streets should have to dodge cars to pick them up. I definitely don’t believe it should be allowed in any public place, especially since I’m asthmatic and cigarette smoke triggers respiratory distress in both me and Daniel. I’d love to make the people who land us in the hospital pay our ER bills. OK… off my soapbox.

— 7 —

Even though Brett’s Blogathon is two months off, I’m working on it now. I have some Pioneer Woman type entries so I’m trying to get the pictures for those while I’m actually cooking them. (I’ll add the text later.) I also need to compile links and such so that I have them at my fingertips for the event. Come check out the fun at http://peacefulwaters.org/brett. While you’re there, consider donating to his adoption fund.

Brett

C’mon… he’s really cute and he needs to get to the USA so he can get some therapy for his cerebral palsy.

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: May 21, 2012

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY May 21, 2012

Outside my window… dark. I think it was hot today — I didn’t go outside until 5:45 pm. Just saw on the news that it was in the 80’s today. This is an improvement over the 90’s this weekend. I hate heat.

I am thinking… that this migraine/neck pain has worn out its welcome.

I am thankful… for my family coming up to celebrate the communal birthday this weekend. (I’m a twin and my brother lives 45 minutes away.) We went to the town festival and the Relay for Life event at the high school. Dinner was a Mediterranean orzo dish and salad. Dessert was brownies that my mom made.

In the kitchen… I made the orzo on Saturday as well as some boxty for church.

I am wearing… navy blue maternity shirt and blue plaid boxers.

I am creating… this entry and a topic list/posting schedule for Brett’s Blogathon.

I am going… to hopefully feel better and less achy tomorrow. Fibro, you suck!

I am reading… not enough these days.

I am hoping… the pain in my neck and shoulders goes down with some ice.

I am looking forward to… a weekend without things to do. There’s also my

Around the house… it’s clean after having company this weekend.

I am pondering… various ways to publicize Brett’s Blogathon.

A favorite quote for today… Another song this week — “Jesus, Friend of Sinners” by Casting Crowns. I heard it on KLOVE this evening and immediately decided to get it off of iTunes.

One of my favorite things… my beautiful house panther who decided to settle on my chest while I am working on this. 🙂 Mommy loves her Edda cat.

A few plans for the rest of the week: whatever errands come up and a massage on Friday.

A peek into my day… The view of the eclipse from my porch.

The view of the eclipse from my porch.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

7 Quick Takes: Voicing My Thoughts

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7 Quick Takes

For a change this week, I thought I’d do my Quick Takes as an audio file. Click on the “Continue reading ->” to see the text of them.

Oh yes… comments regarding Quick Take #2 can be left here. Anything about it (other than unfettered praise) left on this entry will be either edited or deleted.

Continue reading →

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: May 14, 2012

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY May 14, 2012

Outside my window… sunny and hot though there’s a breeze.

I am thinking… that my neck pain has worn out its welcome.

I am thankful… for lots of rest today.

In the kitchen… banana bread at some point this week to take pictures for the blogathon I’m planning on Brett’s behalf.

I am wearing… black t-shirt and green plaid boxers.

I am creating… this entry and a list of topics for Brett’s blogathon.

I am going… to curl up in the recliner and ice my neck once I’m done with this.

I am wondering… why Daniel is so grumpy right now.

I am reading… still on Style, Sex, and Substance ed. by Hallie Lord. The problem is that I kept forgetting to charge my NOOK which is the format in which I have the book.I did read a quickie murder mystery this weekend though — Southern Ghost by Carolyn Hart which was pretty good.

I am hoping… my neck stops misbehaving soon. It’s been almost 2 weeks of pain.

I am looking forward to… my birthday on Saturday.

Around the house… Jon did all the dishes as a Mother’s Day present to me.

A favorite quote for today… how about a song? I’m fond of the alternate title of this one — “Like A Lion”!

One of my favorite things… Daniel snuggling with me yesterday and playing clapping games.

A few plans for the rest of the week: WIC either tomorrow or Wednesday, Strawberry Festival and my birthday on Saturday.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

7 Quick Takes — Season Finales, It’s Too Darn Hot, and Promise Walk Highlights

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Oh. Em. Gee. CSI season finale!!! I so do NOT approve of it being a cliffhanger! I will be grumping about this until September. What oh what will I do on Wednesday nights?!?!?!?!?!? (Answer: He-Man reruns and Netflix probably.) It was good to find out what had happened between Finn and Russell and to find out that it was something innocuous and not that they had been involved romantically in an adulterous fashion.

— 2 —

Hart of Dixie was good this week. This show is my guilty pleasure. (I usually watch forensic shows or stuff like The Big Bang Theory.) I loved the scene where Lemon gets her head stuck in the bed frame. It was an interesting message this week in that we see that Zoe’s presence in Bluebell does make a difference. I think it’s applicable to us in that what we do has repercussions and we have the blessing/curse of impacting other peoples’ lives.

— 3 —

I totally loved Abby’s outfit on NCIS this week. I really wish I’d known what had been planned for the bachelor party by Abby because that so did NOT end up happening! I also wonder if there’s anyone else who finds Dr. Samantha Ryan (Jamie Lee Curtis) to have undertones of naughtiness. She evokes a feeling kind of like a few of the characters in an Austin Powers movie.

— 4 —

The wedding on The Big Bang Theory was awesome. I love that all the members of the group of friends were ordained so they all performed the marriage ceremony. I wonder if anything will happen with Penny and Leonard next season…

— 5 —

It has been in the 90’s for the past few days here in Gold Country. Have I mentioned that I hate heat? It’s awful regardless of whether or not it’s a dry heat. Additionally, it’s allergy season so all of us in the house are miserable and I’ve had to find something to work for Daniel. The only good thing is that the heat has tired him out and he’s usually gone down for a decent nap. He only got a 20 minute nap today because he fell asleep while we were running errands and I couldn’t get him back down. Enter in wailing and gnashing teeth on Daniel’s part. We just got him back down. I’m hoping that he was just overtired and that he doesn’t have an ear infection — it would be really hard to diagnose and I’m not sure when I could get him into the doctor tomorrow as we have his IEP in the afternoon.

— 6 —

I’d still love to hear from any parents of special needs kids on their experiences getting services for their kids as well as adventures in raising them. I’m the Guardian Angel for an adorable little boy through Reece’s Rainbow and I’m doing a series on this on my blog dedicated to getting Brett adopted. Please let me know if you’re interested.

— 7 —

The Promise Walk was awesome. I erroneously thought it was Saturday and showed up at Lake Vasona to find nobody there. Go me. I went back on Sunday (without Jon who had to head back up to Gold Country to lead worship) and had a great time. My parents participated too and Mom and I did the three mile walk with Daniel. (My dad bailed out at some unknown distance so we don’t know how far he walked — only that he cheated. :p) It wasn’t as many people as last year but it was still fun. Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital was one of the sponsors and when I told them that I had been in their NICU about 32 years ago (when it was just Stanford Children’s Hospital), they took pictures. I’m guessing they don’t see many of their alumni that often? 🙂 I personally raised about $600 (will have the exact number this weekend) so I’m pretty jazzed.

For more Quick Takes, visit Hallie at BettyBeguiles.Com who is hosting this week while Jen takes some time off. Please keep Jen in your prayers — she witnessed a horrific motorcycle accident and is trying to process all the emotions and images in her brain.