The Simple Woman’s Daybook: June 20, 2011

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY June 20, 2011

Outside my window… dark right now but it was in the high 90’s today. Hell Summer has begun — it’s supposed to be up in the 100’s tomorrow.

I am thinking… that the incompetence of the person working on Daniel’s case for the SSA is unprecedented. Seriously, it defies reason.

I am thankful for… the life of Pastor Karen Greschel (colleague of Jon’s) who passed away on Friday morning. Also thankful for the DVD’s of The Big Bang Theory that my dad gave me — they’re keeping me sane at the moment.

From the kitchen… a Caprese baguette from Savemart which was good in idea but crappy and inedible in reality.

I am wearing… my preeclampsia survivor shirt and blue plaid boxer shorts.

I am creating… a viable garden and this entry.

I am going… to Sacramento for appointments over the next two days.

I am reading… Quiverfull: Inside the Christian Patriarchy Movement by Katherine Joyce.

I am hoping… I can get straight answers at Daniel’s neuro appointment on Wednesday and that we can get the SSI mess sorted out.

I am hearing… music from iTunes.

Around the house… cleaned for my parents’ visit on Saturday.

One of my favorite things… Daniel coming and cuddling with me today to watch Martha Speaks and Arthur with him falling asleep during Arthur.

A few plans for the rest of the week: appointments and assorted errands. Also PT for Daniel on Wednesday. (I’m definitely also thankful for his PT who is awesome and explained the sensory issues to me.)

Here is picture for thought I am sharing… no picture this week as I’m timecrunched.

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7 Quick Takes — Thankfulness

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7 Quick Takes

I’ve had a crappy week with severe back pain, Daniel’s MRI coming back abnormal, and a host of other things. To try and orient myself to a less pissy perspective, I’m doing a list of things for which I am thankful.

–1–

Daniel’s PT eval this morning. The physical therapist from Easter Seals was really positive and complimented Daniel on the things that he *could* do well. She said there’s definitely things to improve but they’ll come in time. She also explained Daniel’s sensory issues to me in a way that I could understand it. We’re scheduled to start with her on Wednesday.

–2–

The helpfulness of the pharmacist at CVS. Wednesday was by FAR the worst for the back pain and after Jon got home, I dragged myself over to CVS and begged for help. The (young) pharmacist was chipper and asked what I had tried. I told her that it wasn’t responding to Tylenol and she politely informed me that Tylenol isn’t for inflammation and that some ibuprofen would help as well as some ice. She was right. She also saved me $$$ by not making me go to the doctor to be told this.

–3–

Cuddles and “Cheerios time” with Daniel in the mornings. We’ve run out of yogurt snacks a few times (they’re like baby crack) and I’ve had a little boy putting the empty bag in my lap and shake it expectantly. I just reach over to the bookcase and grab the Cheerios. Daniel will then climb into my lap and we’ll cuddle, eat Cheerios, and watch “The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That” on PBS.

–4–

Purry gingerbread tabbies. Cullen is a sissy tabby with very bold orange markings. When I put Daniel down for a nap, he’ll come on the bed and displace my hips. He’s helpful that way. 🙂

–5–

Silly black kitties. Edda is a longsuffering panther and a good one. She’ll put up with Daniel climbing on my lap while she’s having “Mommy time” and she’ll tolerate him “petting” her to a point. She’s wonderful when I’m still groggy in the mornings and trying to reconcile the double images into one.

–6–

KLOVE radio when I’m driving. I listen to a lot of “Scott and Kelli” because I’m usually on the road during their show. I like KLOVE because they don’t get into politics (unlike the big Christian music station in Montana) and it’s encouraging music without obnoxious Focus on the Family shows. Even when I was a newbie Christian, I liked them because they were mellow about promoting faith (not a “turn-or-burn” thing at all unlike other radio station) and they talk about secular news.

–7–

Daniel “surfing” on the wall tonight. (“Surfing” is taking steps holding onto something while learning to walk.) He braced himself against a wall and managed to walk sideways from the hallway to the kitchen. This is a COOL NEW SKILL and puts him closer to learning to walk.

(For more of this, head to Conversion Diary.)

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: June 13, 2011

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY June 13, 2011

Outside my window… sunny and 90ish. It went from March to June in the period of a week.

I am thinking… about the sheer incompetence shown by both Medi-Cal (they lost paperwork for the SECOND TIME IN A MONTH that was labeled with case number and hand-delivered) and the Lodi office of the Social Security Administration. (My worker is so lazy that it’s taken almost two months to do something that should take two WEEKS [if that] in other offices.)

I am thankful for… purry orange kitties and the possibility that Daniel may be done with shots this week.

From the kitchen… four cheese ravioli and pasta sauce with mushrooms.

I am wearing… a hunter green v-neck shirt and khaki capris.

I am creating… this entry. 🙂 No chance for crocheting these days.

I am going… to a doctor’s appointment on Wednesday and possibly bloodwork for Daniel on Thursday.

I am reading… God’s Harvard by Hanna Rosin

I am hoping… Daniel is done with shots soon and that we can get the Medi-Cal/SSI messes worked out soon.

I am hearing… Smurfs on in the living room. (My parents gave us 7 hours of episodes from the 80’s on DVD including some of the commercials.)

Around the house… cleaning to do before family comes on Saturday and the PT eval on Thursday.

One of my favorite things… my Facebook games.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Daniel’s clot appointment, possible bloodwork, and PT eval. Also my parents/brother/sister-in-law coming on Saturday to help with the garden.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing… My long-suffering panther Edda who has to put up with Daniel chasing her.

Edda the puss

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7 Quick Takes Friday — Randomness

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7 Quick Takes

–1–

The family remembrance for Erik was wonderful. We had a liturgy from the Jewish Book of Prayer and my brother and I read “The Road Less Traveled” by Robert Frost. While Erik had spent some of his time being hyper-Calvinist, he would not have wanted a formal funeral and I think he was fairly anti-religious toward the end. It was meaningful for all of us and I learned a bit about Erik that I hadn’t known.

–2–

Erik’s ashes will be interred at the family plot (or what is rapidly becoming the family plot) at the pioneer cemetery in Pedee, OR later this year. I’m acquiring a small stuffed lion to be buried with him because he was a Leo and loved lions. If I can’t make it, I’ll give it to my mom to take it to the interment.

–3–

Medi-Cal LOST the paperwork that I hand-delivered to them. There are few words that can describe my angst and rage. Social Security is saying the same thing about the stuff I hand-delivered there. It’s maddening.

–4–

We’ve made some food discoveries with Daniel this week. I was having some Kraft Deluxe Mac n’ Cheese (the stuff with the Velveeta-like cheese sauce) and Daniel was mugging me for it. I finally started doing the “one-bite-for-me-and-one-for-you” thing with him. Yesterday, he was mugging my mom for some of her quiche. (Apparently, he doesn’t have the allergy issues with eggs that I do.) Today at the church picnic, I kept him busy while I ate by passing him pieces of Trader Joe’s Gnocchi alla Gorganzola. It’s definitely progress.

–5–

I keep having a craving for Hawaiian pizza (pineapple and Canadian bacon) from Round Table. I grew up on it so it shouldn’t be surprising that I’m craving it. It’s still the best pizza I’ve found locally. (Pizza My Heart in Santa Cruz will always have a special place in my heart with their pesto pizza.) I just wish I could do the ordering online.

–6–

I’m reading God’s Harvard: A Christian College on a Mission to Save America By Hanna Rosin and it’s pretty interesting. It’s about Patrick Henry College and how it was founded to raise up a generation of young people to enter government and take it back from the liberals… or something along those lines. If you’ve read The Unlikely Disciple by Kevin Roose (which I also *HIGHLY* recommend), you’ll like this one.

–7–

I’m reading God’s Harvard on my NOOK. It was a gift from a family friend while Daniel was in the hospital that was designed to keep me occupied during the large amount of downtime I had. With a generous gift certificate to Barnes & Noble from my mother-in-law for a birthday present, I’ve been able to put some books on there that I’ve always wanted to read and figured that it would be good on long car rides where I wasn’t driving — certainly easier than taking a whole tote bag of books.

(For more of this, head to Conversion Diary.)

Tetelestai

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I was a bit vague yesterday in my post but…

My cousin Erik passed away tonight. He was only 40 years old and had really struggled in life. I’m glad he finally has the peace he couldn’t find in life but I’m mourning the fact that I’ve lost any chance to have a relationship with him in this life.

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant, Erik. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

Please pray for me and for my family.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: June 6, 2011

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY June 6, 2011

Outside my window… cloudy with sprinkles. It should hopefully clear up by tomorrow.

I am thinking… about my extended family — some difficult decisions had to be made today by some of them.

I am thankful for… being able to be in San Jose yesterday and today as those decisions were being made. (I know I’m being vague but it’s kind of a touchy family issue.)

From the kitchen… pita and hummus.

I am wearing… grey maternity shirt and blue plaid boxer shorts that I sleep in during the summer.

I am creating… this entry.

I am going… hopefully nowhere big this week other than maybe San Jose for a funeral.

I am reading… In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming.

I am hoping… I get decent sleep tonight.

I am hearing… Daniel’s musical toys.

Around the house… dishes and laundry to be done.

One of my favorite things… purry ginger tabbies and licorice cats.

A few plans for the rest of the week: I’m enjoying not having any day planned out except for Friday.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing… I’ll have new pictures next week, OK?

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7 Quick Takes Friday — Seven People/Groups/Organizations That Are Incurring My Wrath

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7 Quick Takes

–1–

Social Security Administration: Get off your butts and process my son’s case. You’ve had the information for a month and a half already!!! If you’ve lost the paperwork, let me know so I can at least get copies to replace stuff.

–2–

Medi-Cal: Get off your butts and process my son’s case. I know you’ve had budget cuts and have sooooo many cases blah blah blah. Again, you’ve had the paperwork for a good long time. Get off your butts and do something!!!

–3–

People who park at the library on flea market days: I’ve mentioned this one before. It’s still pissing me off. The sign is in English and Spanish. I know you can read at least ONE of those languages. PARK ELSEWHERE. You’re preventing people from accessing the library because you’re clogging the parking lot and the access road to the book drop.

–4–

Congresscritters trying to gut Medicare: Is it just me or does anyone else find it “amusing” that the ones trying to get Medicare cut apart are the ones who HAVE government pensions (and huge salaries) and aren’t going to be screwed in their old age by lack of access to affordable medical care? Yeah, I thought so.

–5–

People who cut into congested traffic without using their turn signals: Seriously, this is dangerous. I can’t read your mind and suddenly careening in front of me is not the best idea, especially at 70 mph. (The speed limit may be 65 mph but the flow of traffic is at 70.) Be thankful that I’m alert and not one of the people jawing away on their cell phones (HOLDING THEM) while they drive. Otherwise, things would really suck.

–6–

People who park their *MASSIVE* SUV’s in “compact” parking spaces: You must be blind because there is no other compelling reason for thinking that you can fit your Suburban in that parking space. Then again, they granted you a driver’s license so you must be able to see and read the word in that parking space — you know… “COMPACT”. You also must think I’m made of paper and can squeeze in there to get into the car or that I *LOVE* getting into the car through the passenger side. Guess what… I don’t! Park your gas guzzler elsewhere please.

–7–

Sarah Palin: Ahem… could you stop grandstanding and claiming that you’re “not running for President” when in fact, you’re trying to drum up popular support for a run by your “tour of American sites”. I wish the media would stop trying to chase you and focus on something else more constructive. You’re a freaking moron and God help us if the Republican party picks you as their candidate in 2012. And really… since when is Trump’s condo an “American site”?

(For more of this, head to Conversion Diary.)