Category Archives: Memes and Link-Ups

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: March 9, 2014

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY March 9, 2014

Outside my window… dark. It was a mix of sun and clouds today. We’re supposed to be getting rain tonight which will be good for our drought in California.

I am thinking… that I shouldn’t have allowed Daniel to take that nap today even if it meant that I got to take it with him. I have a feeling that getting him to sleep tonight will be interesting.

I am thankful… for a peaceful afternoon with Daniel.

In the kitchen… dishes to do tomorrow. Wheeeeeeeeeeee!!!

I am wearing… charcoal v-neck shirt from Old Navy and black capri sweats from Lands’ End.

I am praying for… discernment, the ability to forgive, sleep tonight, everything going on this week, and for my toes to heal.

I am going… to try and get a bunch of errands done tomorrow.

I am wondering… what the exact purpose of Daylight Savings Time is other than to torment me.

I am reading… Between Heaven and Mirth by James Martin, S.J. — it’s a re-read before I tackle his book on Jesus that comes out this week.

I am hoping… to get to sleep before 3 a.m. tonight. Stupid fibro flare-up!

I am looking forward to… my massage on Friday.

I am hearing the 10:00 news.

Around the house… lots to clean tomorrow.

I am pondering… various things related to the special intention for which I have been asking prayer.

A favorite quote for today… “Those who reject Christianity will not be moved by Christ’s statement that poverty is blessed. But here a rather remarkable fact comes to my aid. Those who would most scornfully repudiate Christianity as a mere ‘opiate of the people’ have a contempt for the rich, that is, for all mankind except the poor. They regard the poor as the only people worth preserving from ‘liquidation’, and place in them the only hope for the human race. But this is not compatible with a belief that the effects of poverty on those who suffer it are wholly evil; it even implies that they are good. The Marxist thus finds himself in real agreement with the Christian in those two beliefs which Christianity paradoxically demands – that poverty is blessed and yet ought to be removed.” — C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

One of my favorite things… big orange scaredy cats.

A few plans for the rest of the week: errands tomorrow, meeting on Tuesday morning, haircut on Thursday, massage and rheumy appointment on Friday. Also ABA therapy for Daniel every afternoon from Monday to Friday as usual.

A peek into my day… Pharrell’s song “Happy” done at Boston College.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

7 Quick Takes: Best Week Ever

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Orphans. Do you see these sweet children?

L-R: Brett and Iris
BrettIris

Brett still needs a mama. Iris finally has a family who have adopted her (I think they passed court this past week!) and they will hopefully be on their way home with her and her new little brother in a week or so.

— 2 —

Special intention. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us for the last month. Please continue to pray for discernment for all who are involved and for me to be able to forgive people for the ways that they have wronged me.

— 3 —

Lent. For those who missed it, Beth Anne won my “Pick Jen’s Lenten Discipline” contest. I’m glad it was her because Kelly of This Ain’t The Lyceum had threatened promised to buy me a hair shirt if she won. Beth Anne assigned me the disciplines of finding a church to pray in 1-2 times a week and getting a devotional to do daily reading during the next 40ish days.

— 4 —

#AshTag Here’s my #ashtag from Wednesday. It’s the only selfie I take pretty much ever unless it’s to stick my tongue out at certain people.

Daniel and me.

— 5 —

Raindrops falling on my head. I think we’ve had storms every couple days for the last week or so. It’s not enough to get California out of the severe drought we’re in but it sure helps. We even had thunder and lightning up in my neck of the woods last night! That was pretty exciting. (It’s not as common here as it is in the Midwest.)

— 6 —

The title of this post. It wasn’t my best week ever — I’m a VH1 addict… or at least I was back when I had cable or satellite and I used to watch the show “Best Week Ever” all the time. I used to watch stuff like “I Love the 90’s” and “Celebrity Fit Club” all the time which I cannot imagine watching now! I kind of wonder if it and MTV even show music anymore.

— 7 —

“Son of God” People are astonished that I have no desire to see the “Son of God” movie. I keep telling them… the book is better! *rimshot* In all seriousness, I’m not a film person — I’d rather read a book than watch someone’s attempt at recreating it.

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: March 2, 2014

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY March 2, 2014

Outside my window… dark. We’ve gotten some storms coming through this weekend and are supposed to have more tomorrow. I’ve got at least 4 hours of driving to do so I’m hoping the roads stay safe.

I am thinking… about my trip to San Jose tomorrow.

I am thankful… for good interactions with parishioners in the last week.

In the kitchen… dishes though I did several sinkfulls today. (My kingdom for a dishwasher!)

I am wearing… beige v-neck and black capri sweats from Target which are super comfy.

I am praying for… traveling mercies as I head to San Jose tomorrow, discernment for people involved in my special intention, and for patience with regard to Daniel.

I am going… to $tarbux on my way out of town.

I am wondering… how tomorrow will go.

I am reading… This Our Exile by James Martin, S.J. which I highly recommend if you have any interest in Africa or missiology.

I am hoping… to sleep well tonight.

I am looking forward to… seeing my parents tomorrow though I wish it were happier circumstances. (Nobody died — I have to go deal with a family matter.)

I am hearing the Roomba trying to dock. It’s like having a Dalek moving around the darkened living room.

Around the house… cats are scattered haphazardly. (In other words, everything is normal.)

I am pondering… what to take with me tomorrow for the time that I’ll spend sitting: crocheting or just my NOOK?

A favorite quote for today… “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.” — C.S. Lewis (How true this is right now!)

One of my favorite things… quiet.

A few plans for the rest of the week: trip to San Jose by myself tomorrow, Morning Prayer on Tuesday, Ash Wednesday stuff on Wednesday, meeting on Thursday morning, and Ladies’ Night Out that evening.

A peek into my day… Daniel and Cullen taking a nap together. When I was pregnant with Daniel, Cullen used to settle on my baby belleh and purr… only to be kicked by Daniel. My mom and I have been joking for almost 5 years now about them having a Calvin and Hobbes type of relationship someday. (Cullen is a gigantic scaredy cat so he’ll hang out with Daniel if Daniel is asleep or in my lap being sedate.) Maybe that day is coming soon?

Daniel and Cullen taking a nap together.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

7 Posts in 7 Days: Five Favorite Bach Pieces

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Five Favorites

I’m feeling really twitchy about a family situation (I can’t discuss it publicly out of respect for that family member) so I’m up posting and I thought I’d listen to some Bach to calm me down.

For those who don’t know, I’m a classically trained pianist and vocalist. I rarely play piano publicly anymore and I don’t have opportunity to sing much because of Daniel. To be clear, I’m not a soloist — I’m one of those people who loves to lend support to a community choral group. Bach is considered “the master” and it was pretty much expected when I participated in Guild Auditions that one of my Baroque pieces would be something by Bach.

One

Concerto for Two Pianos C major BWV 1061 (Vivace) This is the third movement of the concerto and it’s a fugue. If I could, I would have this as the ring tone for my cell phone. I liken the piece to children playing tag with the way that the theme jumps from person to person and instrument to instrument. This particular video does a good job of showing it.

Two

“Jesus bleibet meine Freude” BWV 147 The English for this one is “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” and it should be familiar to many people. It was my first vocal solo (singing soprano with my friend Joyce doing second soprano and my friend Sunitha singing alto — absolutely terrifying for me but so incredibly wonderful) and it was also the processional at my wedding. I have probably 5 versions of it in my iTunes and on my “Bach and Baroque” playlist.

Three

Prelude and Fugue No.12 in F Minor BWV 881 from “The Well-Tempered Clavier” This pianist does it well but my favorite version is from Windham Hill’s album “The Bach Variations” with Philip Aaberg playing it. I’m biased because he actually played it for a concert at the Montana Synod Assembly in 2006. I swear every bone in my body relaxed during it.

Four

Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (Sleepers Awake) BWV 645 My church choir director in high school was one of my professors in college. (I sang in the Women’s Chorale for 5 quarters and she was my conductor for 3 of them.) This is a piece that I remember her playing as an offertory when I was home from college.

Five

“Little” Fugue in G minor, BWV 578 This is the piece that was used in Music Appreciation in high school to explain the structure of a fugue. It’s a pretty well-known piece and I chose this particular video to show you how insanely intricate it is. One of the reasons that Bach is considered “the master” for many people is that his music sounds so simple when in reality, it takes a great deal of skill to make it sound that way. Polyphony for the win!

Go love up Hallie and the others.

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.)

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

7 Quick Takes: A John 17 Moment, Birth Announcement, and a Fundraiser

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Calling all NFP people! My friend Kate is trying to raise the funds for her tuition to become a Creighton practitioner. For those who aren’t NFP people, the Creighton model is one of the methods of Natural Family Planning (NFP). I know a number of people who have used it to successfully avoid pregnancy as well as some who have used it to achieve pregnancy. There’s a need for practitioners in the Portland area and Kate would fill that need perfectly. I know the $4000 she has to raise seems like a lot but that’s 400 people giving $10 or 40 people giving $100 or some kind of combination like that.

**UPDATE** She has a giveaway to help raise the funds.

— 2 —

That Lenten discipline that I should probably be choosing. Lent is coming up during the first full week of March and there are starting to be posts about what to choose for your discipline. Two good ones are here and here.

— 3 —

Penny is here!!!! I am so happy to announce the birth of “Penny”, the daughter of Stacy of Catholic and Crunchy. She is absolutely precious and her safe birth is the answer to 9 months of prayer.

— 4 —

Argh. Daniel decided to poke the lenses out of his glasses and I can’t find them. Could you pray that we find them? I’m also open to people talking to St. Anthony of Padua about this one. 😉

— 5 —

A John 17 moment. Bishop Tony Palmer of the CEEC has connections to both Kenneth Copeland and the Roman Catholic Church. This video explains the convergence of those ties as Pope Francis recorded a video and it was shown at the KCM Winter Revival. This is a long video but it’s worth it to see how Catholicism and Pentecostalism converge.

If you can’t wait to see the video from Pope Francis, it can be found below but I really think you need to watch the whole 45 minutes above because the back story is fifteen times better than the video of Francis himself.

— 6 —

Orphans. Do you see these beautiful 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.

— 7 —

Special intention. For those who are praying for us, please pray for me to forgive those who I perceive as having wronged me and for discernment for all parties in how to proceed. Thanks!

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