Author Archives: Jen

About Jen

Jen isn't quite sure when she lost her mind, but it is probably documented here on Meditatio. She blogs because the world needs her snark at all hours of the night... and she probably can't sleep anyway.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: January 1, 2013

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window… dark — it’s almost midnight and I’m the only one awake except for possibly my in-laws’ rotund orange tabby patch female.

I am thinking… that I really need that massage scheduled on Friday — lots of lower back and neck pain.

I am thankful… for a good road trip to see family this Christmas.

In the kitchen… not home yet but probably fast food tomorrow night when we get back.

I am wearing… blue shirt and blue striped flannel pajama bottoms.

I am creating… squares for a stained glass blanket.

I am going… HOME!!!

I am wondering… what is causing the lower back pain.

I am reading… A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans. I actually finished it on the way down to southern California and read her other book Evolving in Monkey Town but it was good enough that I’m re-reading it and I want to be her when I grow up.

I am hoping… the citrus-colored mancat on my foot is amenable to moving shortly.

I am looking forward to… my massage on Friday.

Around the house… quiet other than the citrus-colored cat purring like a jet engine and the whalebone tabby snoring beside him.

A favorite quote for today… this, the first two lines of which were quoted by my mother-in-law a day or two ago in the car while on errands to Michael’s to get yarn..

“For God’s sake, let us sit upon the ground
And tell sad stories of the death of kings;
How some have been deposed; some slain in war,
Some haunted by the ghosts they have deposed;
Some poison’d by their wives: some sleeping kill’d;
All murder’d: for within the hollow crown
That rounds the mortal temples of a king
Keeps Death his court and there the antic sits,
Scoffing his state and grinning at his pomp,
Allowing him a breath, a little scene,
To monarchize, be fear’d and kill with looks,
Infusing him with self and vain conceit,
As if this flesh which walls about our life,
Were brass impregnable, and humour’d thus
Comes at the last and with a little pin–
Bores through his castle wall, and farewell king!”
— William Shakespeare, Richard II

One of my favorite things… citrus-colored cats and whalebone tabbies.

A few plans for the rest of the week: driving home tomorrow, massage on Friday (and possibly a doctor’s appointment).

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

7 Quick Takes: Russian Adoption Issues, Apocalyptic Rainstorms, and Classless Individuals

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

This little girl needs your help. Her name is Kaia and she needs a mama. Is there a chance you might be her mama? Click on her picture to go to her profile.

Miss Kaia

— 2 —

Please help if you can. The Wade family got special permission from a Russian judge to come back and get Ivan ASAP but they need to raise the funds to do it. If you can spare any money at all, it would help immensely — I know that my donations have been in $5 and $10 increments.

— 3 —

The state of the bear. Daniel has recovered from the excitement of last week (febrile seizure, high fevers for two nights, Urgent Care appointment…) though it meant that he was extra cuddly this last weekend. I didn’t make it to church on Sunday because of him nor did I make it to Christmas worship because he and Edda were both asleep on my lap. The Christmas morning snuggle was wonderful because I could just watch TV and enjoy the quiet. We’re with my parents right now and he has all his normal energy back so he has been running around, opening and closing doors, and being silly. Currently, the little bear is eating Cheerios in the booster seat next to me which is why I’m getting these done. 🙂

— 4 —

Mmmmmm! My mom made these cookies and added dried cherries. They are totally wonderful and quite addictive. I might have to make them for church one of these days.

— 5 —

Need an ark, please. We were wondering if church was going to be cancelled last Sunday (the 23rd) because we were having serious rain with wind. The same thing happened on Christmas Day — serious rain with lots of wind. Apparently, I missed the newscast where the Christmas rain was in the forecast because it was a nasty surprise when I was having to head to the laundry shed to get clothes to fold. It followed us to San Jose and was around yesterday, which made it hard for Daniel (wanted to go OUTSIDE and run around) and me (needed to go for a walk to stretch out my back). It was clear today and chilly for everyone except for Jon and me. Apparently living in Montana and Minnesota toughened me up to cold because all the other moms on the playground were in parkas and I was pushing Daniel on the swings in just a long-sleeved shirt.

— 6 —

Pottymouths. Jon and my dad are watching The Big Lebowski and it seems like every other word is an f-bomb. Seriously guys? Is it necessary to the plot of the movie? This is probably why I rarely see movies ever, either on TV or in the theater.

— 7 —

Parenting fails. On Monday, I was at Les Schwab (a tire shop) getting an alignment done and a mother and son came in. The woman grunted at her son to move the coffeetable in the waiting area and put her feet (which were in really disgusting-looking Crocs) up on it when he moved it. I was sitting there looking at her with complete revulsion and shock. Really, wench? Do you think this is your living room at home? Are we conveniently ignoring basic rules for how to act in public? It got better after she chastised her son for using the word “sucks” because it “wasn’t classy”. I would probably have said something (and my Twitter peeps heard ALL about it) except that her tattoos were a bit menacing (thanks to all the prison shows I watch, I know what some of them mean) and my self-preservation kicked in to keep me from opening my mouth. But seriously… epic parenting FAIL!

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: December 24, 2012

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY December 24, 2012

Outside my window… sunny after a few days of apocalyptic rainstorms beating down.

I am thinking… that I really should clean the kitchen and pack but I’m so tired!

I am thankful… that Daniel’s illness didn’t result in a hospital admission.

In the kitchen… dishes to be done.

I am wearing… burgundy shirt and jeans.

I am creating… crocheted squares and snowflakes.

I am going… to try and get everything done tonight before I go to bed.

I am wondering… if Daniel is planning to nap.

I am reading… A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans.

I am hoping… everything gets done.

I am looking forward to… getting out of Dodge for a few days.

Around the house… *ignores the question*

I am pondering… everything I have to get done.

A favorite quote for today… ??The only things we can keep are the things we freely give to God. What we try to keep for ourselves is just what we are sure to lose.?? ? C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

One of my favorite things… the quiet when Daniel naps.

A few plans for the rest of the week: cleaning and packing today, worship and heading to be with family tomorrow.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

December 22: A Picture of Your Family

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Me, Daniel, and Edda

This picture was taken on Friday morning after a night of being up worrying about Daniel. I didn’t have a chance to edit the red eye out of the picture or brush anyone’s hair so it’s a bit of a candid shot. 🙂 I do enjoy having a lapful though and I enjoyed having Daniel fall asleep on me or cuddled up with me the last few nights. He is the best cuddlebug in the world.