Category Archives: Memes and Link-Ups

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.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

7 Quick Takes: Only Six This Week

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Posting later than usual. I usually have these written on Thursday night to post as soon as the link-up page goes up. (I’m on the West Coast so it’s 10 p.m. PDT for me.) Last night, however, my mind was a little too scattered so I decided to just skip this week. Then, I was awoken this morning by my clowder (the word for a collective of cats) who apparently can see the bottom of their food dish and felt that 5 a.m. was an appropriate time to tell me. (Cats, you are SOL. Go wake up the other adult human.) So… here we go!

— 2 —

Orphans. Do you see this handsome boy?

Brett

Brett needs a mama. Are you his mama? Click on his picture for more information.

— 3 —

Prayer request #1. I’ve been chosen to speak at the Promise Walk for Preeclampsia in San Jose this year. (My fundraising page will be public soon.) They’d like to use my 5-7 minute spiel as a fundraising piece so I’m having to get it written by this weekend. Could y’all pray that I can do this? I have no fear of public speaking but I do need to get this written. Please and thank-you.

— 4 —

Prayer request #2. I know I’ve been really vague about my special intention for the last two weeks and I appreciate everyone who has been praying for it. Could you please continue praying for discernment for those involved, that I would be able to forgive, and that I would have consolation and peace in the midst of the waiting game that is going on? Thanks!

— 5 —

A good definition of ABA. For those who read my Simple Woman’s Daybook posts, you probably see me mention ABA therapy every week. This is a good explanation of what it is. For those who don’t have time to read the article, it’s a methodology for working with autistic kids where you achieve the behavior desired through reinforcing it and you modify the behavior by modifying the antecedent (what comes before the behavior).

— 6 —

Stopping here. I honestly don’t have anything else this week so I’m stopping here. Have a lovely weekend!

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

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

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

7 Quick Takes: Music That Fits My Mood This Week

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7 Quick Takes

It’s been a really tough week thus far with the latest stress being the 8 hours I spent with Daniel in the pediatric ER at UCD Medical Center today. I was going to do a list of things not to say to a person suffering with severe depression but I decided on music instead.

— 1 —

“Worn” by Tenth Avenue North. The lyrics are so incredibly accurate.

— 2 —

“Hold Me Jesus” by Rich Mullins. This was actually the first song that came on when I turned my mix CD on this morning on the way up to Sacramento. Serious God moment there.

— 3 —

“The Warrior is a Child” by Twila Paris. It’s the song I want to direct people to when they tell me how amazing I am as a mom and how strong I am… because I’m not.

— 4 —

“Where He Leads Me” by Twila Paris. I’m being led through a valley that is getting a bit scary and I’m struggling to trust.

— 5 —

“If I Stand” by Rich Mullins. Because the strength with which I stand is not my own.

— 6 —

“Just Be Held” by Casting Crowns. A reminder that God has my back.

— 7 —

“This Is My Father’s World” by Fernando Ortega. A reminder that this is not all about me and that evil hasn’t won.

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

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'.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

What I Wore on Sunday: Crazy Cat Lady Edition

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What I Wore on Sunday

This is how I’m dressed most Sunday mornings because church with Daniel is really difficult:

My normal Sunday attire.
Shirt: Old Navy
Pants: Target
Demonic Cat: All Creatures Animal Hospital (Granville, OH)

When I say that church with Daniel is really difficult, I’m not kidding. Like most 4.5 year olds, he can’t sit still. Unfortunately, I can’t placate him with picture books or crayons — his autistic stimming behavior is opening/closing doors and flicking light switches which, as you can imagine, does not go over well. I usually station us in the back where I can drag a chair to the middle of the doorway and catch the sanctuary doors as he opens/closes them. It’s not the least bit worshipful for me and while almost everyone says they are OK with it, there are people who give me the stink eye. So.. I usually do the lectionary readings and watch Mass on TV.

This morning, my precious sweetling was up at 6:45 (!!!!) and I couldn’t get back to sleep so there was no compelling reason for me not to try to take him. He had done fine the last time I did (January) so I thought it would be OK. Let’s just say that by the end of Jon’s sermon, one of the ushers had taken him for a walk so I could retreat to the bathroom and cry because IT WAS THAT BAD. I pushed through and made it to the end (props to the other usher for taking him for a walk during Communion so I could go up and receive without having to carry my squirrely boy); but after this morning’s debacle, I think I’m off the hook for attending worship until at least… Easter?

So… photographic proof that I do clean up well:

Me and my panther.
Shirt/tank top: Kohl’s
Pants: Kohl’s
Sandals: some discount shoe place in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Beautiful House Panther: All Creatures Animal Hospital (Granville, OH)

As for the boy child (who was laughing uproariously as this picture was taken):

Resetting the boy child.
Shirt: Circo (Target)
Pants: Circo (Target)

Go see the other pretty ladies at Fine Linen and Purple.

Five Favorites: Miscellanea (XVII)

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Five Favorites

One

This Guinness commercial. My godmother and her husband have had border collies for about 20 years and said dogs are big on herding people. This totally made me laugh so I had to send it to them.

Two

Fr. James Martin, S.J. His new book, Jesus: A Pilgrimage came out yesterday and there have been some videos put out by his publisher with him talking about it. This is one of them:

Three

Playlist 4 Pontifex The mildly irreverent men at The Jesuit Post created a Spotify playlist in honor of the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ election. It’s 45 songs suggested by their Facebook and Twitter followers. You can find it here.

Four

Lent Madness Think of it as March Madness but between saints and other revered people in the Episcopal Church. The website is incredibly fun and it’s an interesting way to learn about new saints. The website for it is here.

Five

Yoplait Greek yogurt I’ve been living on it for the last few weeks because my stomach has been clenched from stress. I’m a fan of the vanilla-flavored nonfat yogurt.

Go love up Hallie and the others.