Category Archives: Memes and Link-Ups

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: March 5, 2012

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY March 5, 2012

Outside my window… sunny and actually kind of warm.

I am thinking… that I really don’t want to deal with Dr. Passive-Aggressive in half an hour.

I am thankful… that I was able to sleep in on Saturday.

In the kitchen… good question. Nothing from scratch at the moment though I just got the shipment of my cookbooks from my in-laws’ garage.

I am wearing… black t-shirt, navy blue LEFT BEHIND shorts (see OldLutheran.Com‘s merchandise for an explanation).

I am creating… this entry. 🙂

I am going… to the clinic in town in a bit for an appointment to discuss my abysmal cholesterol numbers.

I am reading… Fearless by Max Lucado and enjoying it immensely.

I am hoping… Daniel naps today.

I am looking forward to… Ladies’ Night Out on Thursday.

Around the house… next question!

I am pondering… things for my Lenten writing discipline.

A favorite quote for today… “Fear may fill our world, but it doesn’t have to fill our hearts. It will always knock on the door. Just don’t invite it in for dinner, and for heaven’s sake don’t offer it a bed for the night.” — Max Lucado in Fearless

One of my favorite things… Coca-Cola despite how awful it is for me.

A few plans for the rest of the week: doctor’s appointment today, PT tomorrow, school psych exam and speech for Daniel as well as midweek Lenten dinner on Wednesday, OT and possibly child development as well as Ladies’ Night Out on Thursday, neuro appointment for Daniel and massage for me on Friday.

A peek into my day… My pajama bottoms which are made of WIN!

My pajama bottoms which are made of WIN!

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

7 Quick Takes — What I’ve Learned Thus Far in Lent

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7 Quick Takes

My Lenten discipline of writing every day has been fruitful in that it has allowed me to tackle some of the more interesting things going on with my spirit. Here my seven takes on what I’ve learned and what is yet to be discussed.

— 1 —

I’m seriously out of practice in talking serious theology. This is a bit distressing considering that I spent a year doing postgraduate study in that area. I did discover, however, that many of the answers I give are either from Luther’s Small Catechism or from the “theses” that we went through in Systematic Theology. Props to my Systematic Theology professor Dr. Michael Root who is now on staff with the Catholic University of America because I’ve used those suckers for 10 years now in every parish to explain the faith to people. (He used to be a one of the go-to people for ecumenism in the ELCA as well as a professor at Trinity and then professor/academic dean at LTSS but “swam the Tiber” in 2010.) I should probably go back through my notes from those two quarters because 10 years later, I’m in a position to have to talk to my ladies at Bible study about “how it all hangs together”.

— 2 —

I’m not as “over” Daniel’s hospital stay last year as I thought. I’m getting smacked in the evenings with crying jags when it all hits me. Doing my Lenten writing for Wednesday on Tuesday night was excruciating and I’m thankful that one of the pastors I know through Facebook (and other things) happened to be online because I needed someone to pray with me. Their child’s major surgery was 17 years ago and the anniversary still elicits something so I have a feeling that every March 1st is going to be tough for me on some level.

— 3 —

I read an amazing article on the exodus of young people from the Christian faith on which I will be posting thoughts. If you’ve seen the sticky post at the top of ::Meditatio::, it states that I will keep my mouth shut on my thoughts about the GOP field. This doesn’t necessarily apply.

— 4 —

I’m wishing that I had waited until Lent to read Still: Notes on a Mid-Faith Crisis by Lauren Winner. I know several pastors for whom it is their Lenten book and the topic as well as her reflections would have been good to do as daily readings. I will still be drawing on chapters from it for posts however.

— 5 —

Doing my Lenten posting has reminded me of how much I deeply love the Psalms. So far, I’ve posted Psalm 55 and Psalm 13 and I’ve used the online Bible site Bible Gateway which has, according to the site, 100 versions in 50 languages. (They’re not lying — I’ve used them for Pentecost posts in the past where I break the Acts 2 passage down by verse into different languages.) Anyway, they have the King James Version which just celebrated its 400th birthday and it’s my choice for the Psalms because I love their rendering in Elizabethan English. There’s a reason they are considered “the songbook of the Bible” other than the fact that they were used in the Temple in Jerusalem — they encompass pretty much every emotion that exists and at least 1/3 to 1/2 are ones that convey disappointment and sadness yet end on a positive note.

— 6 —

I do need to write about prayer and its power at some point. Whatever I write will probably be partially based on the chapter entitled “Healing Prayer” from Lauren Winner’s book because I should talk about it. The times during seminary when we had healing prayer were powerful as were the times I went when I attended Church of the Incarnation in Great Falls. Otherwise, I’ll probably talk about Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, or Compline. (Yes, all those exist in the Lutheran Book of Worship — the green hymnal which is the predecessor to the cranberry one that exists now for the ELCA which is what we use at Metanoia.)

— 7 —

I do need to find an Episcopal priest to meet with for Confession. Why am I going to an Episcopal priest? I am going to them because they have a rite in their prayerbook for it and I think that after the events of the last couple years, I could use a chance to unburden my soul a bit. The Episcopal church in town is without a full-time pastor (not to mention that if they had one, Jon would probably know them) so I will probably have to go to Sacramento to do this. I need to download a copy of Reconciliation by Fr. Martin Smith for my NOOK so I can read through it and review the preparation necessary. It will likely be after March 15th because I’ve got Daniel things on the 2nd and 9th.

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: February 27, 2012

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY February 27, 2012

Outside my window… sunny and neutrally warm.

I am thinking… about too many things to list.

I am thankful… for one of my teenagers who is going to baby-sit Daniel tonight during Bible study.

In the kitchen… I’m liking Bertolli’s frozen soups. Their florentine soup with chicken and tortellini was excellent.

I am wearing… blue maternity shirt, sweats, and my Jameson fleece.

I am creating… just this entry right now and later tonight, I’ll work on my Occupying Lent entry.

I am going… to Bible study tonight. Again, so grateful for one of the teenagers at church who can baby-sit because I don’t have the energy to chase Daniel.

I am wondering… when Daniel will fall asleep so I can wet-jet the Pediasure off the floors.

I am reading… nothing at the moment. I just finished Still: Notes on a Mid-Faith Crisis by Lauren Winner which was EXCELLENT and highly recommended.

I am hoping… everything falls into place that needs to this week.

I am looking forward to… being able to eat meat again on Fridays. I miss going and reading at the local sushi/teryaki place which had gotten to be a Friday habit.

I am learning that I am so incredibly out of practice in discussing theology — something I’ve studied at a graduate level.

Around the house… waiting to wet-jet those floors. Woo.

I am pondering… too many things. I’m a hugely introverted person and I think my mind has ADHD.

A favorite quote for today… “When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him. If you injure someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. If you do him a good turn, you will find yourself disliking him less.” — C.S. Lewis in “Mere Christianity”

One of my favorite things… good church music. I’m loving the non-contemporary classical stuff coming out of Unapologetically Episcopalian.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible Study and “Hart of Dixie” tonight, PT on Tuesday, speech and mid-week Lenten soup supper on Wednesday, OT on Thursday, speech eval on Friday, and hopefully nothing on Saturday.

A peek into my day… The “Occupy Pack n’ Play” movement started by my boys. In this picture, it’s my sissy tabby cat Cullen.

Cullen occupying the pack n' play.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

7 Quick Takes — Occupying Lent, Veggie Burgers, and #ashtag Loveliness

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7 Quick Takes

Wow! My first couple days of Lent have been sooooo amazing! I’m just gaining so many insights into my faith and… yeah, I’ll just shut up now and move on to my Quick Takes.

— 1 —

Please help my friend Paula win an award from Circle of Moms. Her daughter Anna has Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) and has been waiting two years for a liver transplant. Their transplant blog was nominated to be in the Top 25 Moms with Inspiring Families. If you’re a mom, please go vote. At last glance, she was #26 or #27.

— 2 —

I have a mirror site for my Lenten writings on WordPress.Com. Want to read my Lenten writings (which are crappy thus far) but do not want to have to look at my eeevvvvvvvvviiiiiilllllll Obama button? Go here. You’re welcome.

— 3 —

Need some ideas for food on meat-free days? Priest’s Wife has a great entry on meatless means for manly men. My recommendations are Gardenburgers and various Morningstar Farms products (both in your freezer section). I can personally vouch for both brands’ iterations of Portabella/Mushroom Lovers burgers and spicy black bean burgers. I’m also a fan of Morningstar Farms Tomato & Basil Pizza Burgers and their veggie corn dogs. (Truthfully, I prefer them to regular corn dogs.) I can’t speak highly of Morningstar Farms breakfast products because the texture is just wrong to me and I’m also mildly allergic to eggs (i.e. no breakfast sandwiches) for me. My vegetarian husband, however, loves their veggie bacon and veggie sausage patties and links.

— 4 —

I know that the vast majority of you are Catholic but I have a source for interesting and worshipful music. Ron Pogue at Unapologetically Episcopalian posts Morning and Evening Prayer every day and includes a Youtube video of sacred music each time. Some of it is Anglican chant (which is incredibly beautiful) and some of it is classical music. He’s also on Facebook which means that you can get it in your news feed… if you haven’t given up Facebook for Lent. 😉 If I didn’t already have a devotional that I use, I’d totally do Morning Prayer using his site and my Book of Common Prayer.

— 5 —

Along the lines of interesting and worshipful music for prayer, I can’t recommend Pray As You Go enough. I used to use this (in addition to Our Daily Bread) during my hour-long commute to work in Montana. It was mostly silent prayer but there was always some kind of music at the beginning and it spanned the spectrum from Taizé to chant to Ladysmith Black Mambazo. I also used the silent time after I hit mile marker 379 on I-15 to pray for people.

— 6 —

My thanks to Kate for coming up with the idea of posting pics of our #ashtag loveliness on Twitter. (Thanks to Beth Anne for compiling them.) My tweets are protected so here are my pics of me rocking my #ashtag.

Me with my ashes
What I normally look like (with ashes)

Me attempting to look happy.
Me attempting to look happy and not like I’m fasting.

Me with the uncooperative bear child.
Me with Mr. Uncooperative.

— 7 —

For want of a simple salt, a woman and her baby died today. What? You didn’t hear about that on the evening news? Oh wait… that’s because it happened in the Third World! Quoting the Preeclampsia Foundation website:

Globally, preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a leading cause of maternal and infant illness and death. By conservative estimates, these disorders are responsible for 76,000 maternal and 500,000 infant deaths each year.

One of the treatments for preeclampsia (to keep it from jumping to full-on eclampsia) is magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), a simple salt that we refer to in the USA as “Epsom salt”. The shortage of a solution of that salt (the concentration needs to be specific) and the lack of a medical professional trained in its usage means the mother and baby die. Want to help combat that problem? Sponsor me in the Promise Walk for Preeclampsia.

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: February 20, 2012

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY February 20, 2012

Outside my window… gray and yucky when I got up. Much nicer now though probably still cold.

I am thinking… that it was a good idea to give Daniel some Benadryl after his second (?) vomit episode this morning. He’s on juice and Cheerios at the moment and we’ll add stuff in as he does better.

I am thankful… for the goulash and spaetzle I brought home with me from my parents’ house. It was two meals worth that I didn’t have to cook.

In the kitchen… the leftover goulash and spaetzle. Also coming up with meatless ideas for this week.

I am wearing… blue maternity shirt and penguin pajama bottoms.

I am creating… ideas for posts for my Occupying Lent category.

I am going… to check on Daniel when I’m done with this.

I am wondering… why my Obama button looks so skewed on Firefox even though I re-sized it and re-uploaded the smaller version.

I am reading… Still: Notes on a Mid-Faith Crisis by Lauren Winner. I also snuck in The Chocolate Castle Clue by JoAnna Carl this weekend.

I am hoping… I don’t have a dentist visit this week given my jaw pain.

I am looking forward to… my massage on Friday and my brother and sister-in-law coming on Saturday.

Around the house… clean living room floor. Yay!

I am pondering… what to write about on Wednesday when I start my Occupying Lent series.

A favorite quote for today… “The real problem is not why some pious, humble, believing people suffer, but why some do not.” — C.S. Lewis

One of my favorite things… teryaki chicken at my favorite sushi/noodle bar.

A few plans for the rest of the week: PT tomorrow, speech and Ash Wednesday on Wednesday, OT on Thursday, massage and cleaning on Friday, and time with family on Saturday.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

7 Quick Takes — Prohibitions Against Brown M&M’s, the Promise Walk, and Lent

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

NPR’s Facebook page posted an interview with David Lee Roth on the prohibition of brown M&M’s in the Van Halen dressing room It has to do with compliance to stage safety and is not one of those random rock star quirks. It was a simply fascinating interview and you can view it here.

— 2 —

Jennifer from Our House will be bringing her adopted son Joshua home from Eastern Europe in a few days. She and her husband were gone from their family for four weeks as they were in Joshua’s home country doing all the necessary things to adopt him. The whole thing has taken almost seven months from start to finish and I am completely overjoyed (as a mom who had to wait to take her baby home) that she is headed back overseas on Sunday to bring him back with her to the States.

— 3 —

I’ve maintained that whoever puts up the first political attack ad will automatically lose my vote. The winner: my Congressman. Is it so hard to run a clean campaign? It’s not even March yet! If I’m having to change channels now, I shudder to think what it will like this August/September.

— 4 —

I managed to catch an interesting case on Judge Judy when I was watching on Wednesday night. I should have waited to switch laundry around in the wash house because I missed the last part of a case where a couple are claiming that a friend totaled their car and expect her to pay off the note. I don’t know how it was resolved but one of the things that blew my mind was that the couple was allowed to take out a car loan without having both liability and collision coverage on their insurance. No lender that I know of allows you to borrow money from them unless you can prove that you have both. There was also the matter of their speech. You don’t get “drove” to work — you get “driven”. It has been a long time since I’ve heard the English language butchered that badly. (The “drove” thing was just the tip of the iceberg.) The rest of the cases were entertaining but not as memorable as that particular one.

— 5 —

My cough from the MUTANT DEATH COLD is gone! Serious props and my thanks to Lisa of All Things Gale for her suggestion of a spoonful of honey. I had forgotten that honey has antiseptic properties and is something I put in my tea when I get bronchitis. Yay for homeopathic remedies! Go visit Lisa and congratulate her on the birth of her son Roman on February 15th!

— 6 —

I’m pondering what my Lenten sacrifice will be. I’m Lutheran so doing something for Lent is encouraged but not required. I came to faith in the Episcopal Church however so I *always* do something for Lent. I’ll definitely be going meatless on Fridays (which I try to do anyway during Lent) but I haven’t figured out what I’ll add or give up. Some thoughts are giving up soda (as Coca-Cola is my comfort food), giving up meat for the whole time, or perhaps not petting fluffy cats. (I have one next to me who is biting me.) After my pancakes on Mardi Gras, I’ll figure something out.

— 7 —

I’m participating in the Promise Walk for Preeclampsia in May. As a survivor of HELLP Syndrome (a variant of preeclampsia — it’s why I had to have an emergency c-section at 29 weeks with Daniel), I participated for the first time last year and it was an awesome experience. It was healing to do it last year and I’m excited to be able to participate again! Please consider sponsoring me.

For more Quick Takes, visit Hallie Lord at BettyBeguiles.Com who is graciously hosting this meme while Jen pushes toward the end of her manuscript.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: February 13, 2012

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY February 13, 2012

Outside my window… gray and looking like the rain is coming back.

I am thinking… about all that I have to do.

I am thankful… for the gifts given to us by the parish yesterday.

In the kitchen… dishes to do.

I am wearing… my black “Governator” t-shirt and my blue striped pajama bottoms. It’s the extent of my clean clothes other than my jeans and “going out” stuff after Daniel spewed his lunch on me.

I am going… out to get diapers and stuff as soon as Jon has changed out of his work clothes.

I am wondering… if Lisa of All Things Gale has had her baby yet. (Just checked her site and there’s no word yet.)

I am reading… Still: Notes on a Mid-Faith Crisis by Lauren Winner. I didn’t cry during my last session of reading so that’s a plus.

I am hoping… that the antenna still works even though half of one of the arms broke off.

I am looking forward to… Daniel going to bed tonight and being able to watch “Hart of Dixie”.

Around the house… don’t want to think about it.

I am pondering… what to do for my Lenten sacrifice.

One of my favorite things… minestrone soup from Olive Garden.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Valentine’s dinner at church tomorrow, peds appointment on Wednesday, OT on Thursday, massage on Friday, and whatever else pops up that needs doing.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook