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.

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?

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

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.)

Reflections on Atheism (VIII)

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OK… I’ve seen the atheist community on the web raise money for Camp Quest and I’ve seen it come together to support Damon Fowler and provide him with money for college. Great job, y’all.

Here’s my question: how have you rallied to do something like tornado relief? I’ve heard people call in on KLOVE and Air1 with a message like “I live in [small town] and I’ve got an empty 56-foot truck/am collecting diapers for kids in Joplin/am doing [insert good deed] and I wanted to let people know that if they wanted to help, they can contact [that person]. Is there some way that y’all get information on a national level? I’m not assuming that religious radio is the only way to do this — I’m just wondering how y’all would do it because I don’t know of non-satellite radio stations that broadcast nationally that would rally the atheist community.

As usual, I’d love comments.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: May 30, 2011

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY May 30, 2011

Outside my window… cloudy and cool. We’re supposed to have a weather system off the coast and it’s giving me a headache.

I am thinking… about Daniel’s MRI appointment tomorrow.

I am thankful for… a visit with family. Daniel and I went down to San Jose on Saturday afternoon and spent time with my parents, brother, sister-in-law, and my aunt and her boyfriend who were on their way back up from Anaheim where my youngest cousin had competed in choral and band competitions with her high school. My aunt and her boyfriend were driving the instruments back up to Washington.

From the kitchen… nothing homemade. Tonight was Hawaiian pizza from Round Table.

I am wearing… a blue shirt and my penguin pajama bottoms.

I am creating… this entry.

I am going… to Sacramento tomorrow for Daniel’s appointment and a few other places this week though I’m not entirely sure yet.

I am reading… The Alpine Uproar by Mary Daheim.

I am hoping… Daniel’s MRI comes out clean.

I am hearing… a neighbor trimming their lawn or leaf-blowing or something.

Around the house… clean thanks to Jon.

One of my favorite things… Hawaiian pizza from Round Table. I had forgotten how good their pizza is.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Daniel’s MRI tomorrow, Ladies’ Night Out for church on Wednesday, and errands TBA for the rest of the week.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing… I’m unfortunately out of pictures at the moment. 🙁

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7 Quick Takes Friday — Good Things About the Rapture Not Happening/Being Postponed

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7 Quick Takes

In response to last week, here are some positives about the Rapture *not* happening.

–1–

Getting to see Daniel grow up. I’m kind of looking forward to seeing where my adventures with Daniel lead. He’s such a cute little boy and it’s so fun to watch him learn new things and grow.

–2–

Getting to joke with my family about which city would be annihilated next. It was entertaining on Saturday to do this with my family. Do I feel bad for those duped by Harold Camping? Yes. Does it mean I can’t have a sense of humor? No.

–3–

Not being “left behind”. It would suck as tornadoes and earthquakes and tsunamis hit and destroyed — wait, that happens anyway. Never mind. And seriously… what’s with the tornadoes south of Chico?!?!?!? This is California, not the Midwest.

–4–

Getting to see multiple episodes of “The Big Bang Theory” this week. I’m sure heaven would have been great but dude… 4 episodes of “The Big Bang Theory” this week that weren’t just for those with cable/satellite.

–5–

Getting to meet Kym tonight. I got to meet my wonderful online friend Kym tonight. I just wish it had been better circumstances. (I was visiting her in the hospital.)

–6–

Getting to watch “The Biggest Loser” finale. I’ve been seriously cheering for Olivia and Hannah. So glad they make it to the final and that Olivia won.

–7–

Getting to do this quick takes post. OK… cheap one here but it’s nice to still be able to blog.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: May 23, 2011

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY May 23, 2011

Outside my window… sunny and LOTS of pollen.

I am thinking… about Ann of House of Estrogen and what she’s going through. Also about an article I read on reforming youth sports and how one of our former parishioners in Minnesota is the poster child for WHY they need to be reformed.

I am thankful for… being able to get together with my heathen family at my brother’s house for the communal birthday gathering. There was some joking around about which city was going to be annihilated next in the Rapture (Christians do have senses of humor — really, we do) and lots of Daniel fun.

From the kitchen… ramen for lunch.

I am wearing… brown polo shirt and khaki capris.

I am creating… this entry. 🙂

I am going… hopefully nowhere else today though I may have to take Mr. Grumpy out for a drive or something to get him to calm down.

I am reading… The Body in the Boullion by Katherine Hall Page. I’m liking her mysteries and I’m thinking that I need to carve out more time to read them.

I am hoping… the pollen abates or it rains. Serious misery here on my part.

I am hearing… Daniel grumping about something.

Around the house… lots of cleaning for Daniel’s 6-month Regional Center eval tomorrow.

One of my favorite things… playing the “yogurt snack game” with Daniel. (He drops the bag in my lap. I say “thank you”. He stands up or crawls in my lap. I put the yogurt snack in my closed hand. He uncurls my fingers and gets his snack.)

A few plans for the rest of the week: Daniel’s 6-month eval, getting some car stuff arranged, and hopefully a lot of unscheduled days.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing… My grandfather and I watching cows when I was 5. I chose this because I miss my grandfather and when Daniel gets grumpy in the evening, I stick him in the car and we go “cow-hunting”. Watching cows is a special pastime shared in my generation by my cousins Kristin and Sarah who are 12 and 13 years younger than me. (*sniffs* Kristin is now 19 and Sarah will be 18 this year.)

Cow-watching with my grandpa.

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