Category Archives: Occupying Advent

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: December 2, 2018

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For Today… December 2, 2018

Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window… dark. It was sunny, but chilly today.

I am thinking… about how to work it so that I get the maximum number of assessments done on the computers in F110 for Keyboarding. I tend to be faster on those than on my laptop.

I am thankful… for the beginning of Advent and that I’ve largely been able to avoid stepping into retail establishments playing insipid secular Christmas music.

One of my favorite things… Advent music.

I am wearing… jammies. It’s late.

I am creating… typing session certificates.

I am listening to… Advent hymnody.

I am hoping… tomorrow goes well, and I don’t have to deal with an obnoxious student in my Keyboarding class too much.

I am learning… flexibility in my internship.

In my kitchen… Greek chicken from Trader Joe’s.

In the school room… Daniel is doing well and loved by his teacher and staff.

Post Script… some thoughts on missionary John Allan Chau and how the mission organization who sent him has some serious explaining to do. I rarely agree with my dad’s anti-Christian thoughts, but I’m with him 100% that going to the Sentinelese people was stupid. I’m also profoundly happy that India is refusing to recover his body, as doing so would be dangerous for both them and the Sentinelese.

Shared Quote… “Many people, meeting Aziraphale for the first time, formed three impressions: that he was English, that he was intelligent, and that he was gayer than a tree full of monkeys on nitrous oxide.”
? Neil Gaiman, Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

A moment from my day… “Mama, I’m not in the tree. #fakenews”

I'm not in the tree. You can't prove it. #fakenews

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: December 11, 2017

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For Today… December 11, 2017

Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window… sunny. It’s in the 40’s but doesn’t really feel that bad out.

I am thinking… about things related to my divorce. I have various things to send to my attorney.

I am thankful… my allergy testing is over. My forearms and my left shoulder are covered with welts but those should go down soon. I’m also allowed to take all my meds again.

One of my favorite things… having the house to myself.

I am wearing… short-sleeved flag tee from Old Navy and black jeans. They needed access to my forearms and left shoulder today for the test so they asked me not to wear long sleeves.

I am creating… socks.

I am listening to… Loreena McKennitt.

I am hoping… to sleep better tonight.

I am learning… about various types of chronic pain.

In my kitchen… making lasagna, bread, and cookies to take to a friend tomorrow who just had a baby.

In the school room… Daniel is getting more and more verbal. His teachers are smitten with him.

Post Script… Regarding the war on Christmas.

Shared Quote…

Nice kitty...

A moment from my day… This was our gradual hymn yesterday. I could totally hear Loreena McKennitt recording it.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: December 3, 2017

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For Today… December 3, 2017

Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window… sunny. We had some rain as church was ending but it looks like that has passed over us. I’m glad I had my coffee this morning because the weather change can be a migraine trigger and caffeine helps with it.

I am thinking… about my Comprehensive Problem quiz for my Sage class. When it submitted yesterday evening, it claimed that I got 10/50. Either my server burped and deleted answers or the computer scored it incorrectly. Unfortunately, I don’t know if my instructor is going to look at it before Friday. (It’s due at 11:55 p.m. on Thursday night.)

I am thankful… to pretty much be done with work for the quarter. I’m just waiting for a teammate to post her presentation so I can comment on it and then I will be done!

One of my favorite things… when my escape room game actually cooperates with me.

I am wearing… jammies. Church attire today was a charcoal-colored long-sleeved shirt, black slacks, and black flats. I traded my slacks for jeans later on.

I am creating… nothing.

I am listening to… Fernando Ortega’s music.

I am hoping… my Comprehensive Problem quiz gets corrected in my favor.

I am learning… how to solve puzzles in the escape room games.

In my kitchen… nothing. My grandmother had a fall so no family dinners for a few weeks. I made do with a quesadilla and salsa tonight.

In the school room… Daniel’s speech is exploding.

Post Script… Jimmy Kimmel invites Roy Moore to put up or shut up when it comes to his Christian faith.

Shared Quote… From a gentleman at my church:

An apology from a man.

It’s problematic for me because this gentleman has *ALWAYS* treated me with the utmost respect. He shouldn’t have to apologize on behalf of his gender. He was further saddened when he learned that I have a #MeToo story (actually more than one).

A moment from my day… A favorite setting of the Magnificat.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

7 Quick Takes: Coming Up On Advent Edition

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

*facepalms* I swear… the following exchange takes place at least weekly:

Me: “45 can’t get more offensive than he did with [insert event].
45: “Hold my beer.”

Monday’s embarrassment to the country: calling Elizabeth Warren “Pocahontas”… while meeting with Navajo code-talkers from WWII… while standing under a portrait of Andrew Jackson.

The Navajo Nation was not amused by this. Even better, Peter McDonald, the president of the Navajo Code Talkers, gave a beautiful speech talking about diversity making us stronger.

— 2 —

Pain is part of life. Emily DeArdo wrote a beautiful piece on the fiction of a painless life. It is definitely recommended reading, especially in light of all the “wrongful birth” lawsuits going on.

— 3 —

Holy moly. First Matt Lauer, then Garrison Keillor. Part of me wants to deny this and think this must be a witch hunt, but when you hear the details of what allegedly happened, it does appear that both of them (and everyone else) behaved improperly in some way/shape/form. Denying it, however, doesn’t fix the fact that something big had to have happened and it also invalidates the experience of anyone who has a “why me” story, myself included. I almost want to agree with Mike Pence in not being alone with a member of the opposite sex ever, but that’s also not the answer. (Not to mention, there’s nothing wrong with a meeting in a public place like Panera for something like strategic planning.)

— 4 —

Pope Francis’s words on healing. I don’t think a devotion to Christ’s wounds will fix every wound life throws at me, but it’s an interesting thought.

— 5 —

Online meetings. My Quick Takes are going up an hour late because I had to host an online meeting for school. Thankfully, it went well. 🙂 Zoom (the platform we used) is pretty cool.

— 6 —

Advent calendar fun. A few weeks ago, I posted about Jacquie Lawson and my fairy godmother (one of my mom’s college friends) sent me one of her alpine calendars this year. Yay!!!

— 7 —

Some lovely Advent music. For those looking for excellent Advent music, I offer my Advent playlist.

For more Quick Takes, visit Kelly at This Ain’t The Lyceum.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: November 26, 2017

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For Today… November 26, 2017

Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window… dark. It was cold and rainy here today, something that is not good for those in the area who are dealing with flooding at the moment.

I am thinking… about my last bits of work for the quarter. I’m done with my PE class and I have two assignments left for Sage, and four left for Electronic Communications.

I am thankful… for not only passing my challenge test for Business English but also getting an A on it. Hermione is satisfied.

One of my favorite things… worship with my people at St. Paul’s.

I am wearing… jammies. Church clothes were a long-sleeved burgundy shirt, black slacks, and black flats. I switched out my slacks for jeans when I got home.

I am creating… documents for Sage.

I am reading… mostly Reddit these days.

I am hoping… to get as much as I can done tomorrow.

I am learning… payroll procedures in Sage.

In my kitchen… my dad will be making turkey enchiladas in the next couple of days.

In the school room… Daniel is happy to be headed back to school tomorrow after a 4-day weekend. Mama is also happy about this!

Post Script… something for geography geeks like me!

Shared Quote… my thanks to Sweatpants and Coffee for this one.

Being vulnerable...

A moment from my day… my favorite hymn for today (Christ the King Sunday).

Closing Notes: I’m hoping we sing this Trisagion during Advent…

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

7 Quick Takes: I Believe Them Edition

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

This should go without saying but… I believe Judge Roy Moore’s accusers. Why? Reasons.

— 2 —

Simcha’s take. Simcha Fisher does a fabulous job of talking about why the victims stayed quiet for so long.

— 3 —

*facepalms* I just saw the news about Al Franken and I’m pissed. Unlike Moore, however, he has apologized and I’m going to leave it up to him and the Senate to hash out his punishment because I trust him to do the right thing. (I don’t trust Moore as far as I can throw him.)

— 4 —

Crown me with many crowns… sort of. I went in for my tooth extraction on Wednesday… only to find out that they hadn’t prepped for it and were instead planning to fix one of my other teeth (a simple filling). When I got home, my dad asked why I wasn’t just getting a root canal and a crown. My answer: “Because Medicaid won’t pay for it.” He and my mom offered to pay for it (though I’m going to try and find an endodontist that takes Provider One). So… I’m making appointments for that!

— 5 —

Faith Over Fear Roadshow. I attended this wonderful talk at my church on Monday. (Shout-out to my mama who offered to babysit the kiddo so I could go!) It was wonderful to see Pastor Terry again (he was one of the clergy walking with my mom’s family when my grandfather was dying) and I loved hearing Aneelah speak. I’m bummed that the Q & A session didn’t get recorded. Our church ladies put on a fabulous coffee/tea/dessert spread afterward and the CAIR staff were blown away by the hospitality. (Given the amazing hospitality I’ve been shown at mosques I’ve visited, I’m glad they were welcomed richly and given LOTS of amazing desserts to eat!)

— 6 —

Huh. Tell me about how safe the Keystone XL pipeline was supposed to be and why building it at Standing Rock would endanger the Sioux. I effing dare you.

— 7 —

Advent calendars. Jacquie Lawson is an artist who puts together amazing e-cards and she also does beautiful interactive Advent calendars which are paired with classical or British churc music. Last year’s calendar was a beautiful English seaside village and this year’s calendar has an alpine theme. They are $4.00 apiece with discounts for multiple orders and they really are worth more than that. (I’m not one of her affiliates — I just really love her work!)

For more Quick Takes, visit Kelly at This Ain’t The Lyceum.

{five favourites}: Things Keeping Me From Getting Too Grinchy

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#5Faves

Those who know me in real life know that I really don’t *LIKE* December very much. I hate the materialistic aspect of Christmas, decorating the house is ONE MORE THING TO DO (probably why I haven’t decorated on my own in years and usually delegated it to Jon), I loathe secular Christmas music, and besides, IT’S FREAKING ADVENT, PEOPLE!!! CHRISTMAS DOESN’T START UNTIL THE 24TH.

Having said all that, here are some of the things that are keeping me from being *TOO* grinchy this holiday season.

One

My Jacquie Lawson Advent Calendar. If you don’t know about Jacquie Lawson, you need to surf over RIGHT NOW! She does interactive cards with beautiful artwork and music. Every year, she puts out an amazing Advent calendar which is under $5 to download onto your computer. This year, it’s a seaside Christmas and I know I’m always excited to see what I’ll be opening every morning. She also has an ornament smashing game which is great when I need to think something through but need to be doing something brainless to do it.

Two

My church’s “Advent game”. On the first Sunday of Advent, they were handing out envelopes with slips of paper in them. The game is simple: take out one slip of paper each day and do that activity with your family or on your own. There are ideas for prayer, suggestions for things like building a fire and roasting marshmallows, writing a letter to someone you haven’t talked to in a while, read the O Antiphons, etc. Even though I missed a few days (OK… more like a week), it’s given me an interesting Advent.

Three

My Advent playlist. It’s nice having music that fits the season and what we’re focusing on in church.

Four

Family gatherings. With the amount of pain that has happened in my family this year (not just my divorce but other things), it has been really helpful to gather for things like celebrating my cousin’s graduation. We have a Christmas dinner we’re not having to host on Friday and it will be good to see everyone.

Five

Getting to write the prayers we’re using for Christmas. My priest asked if I wanted to write the prayers being used for Christmas worship. This should be fun and definitely will help me get into the spirit of what the season is all about.

Go love up Bonnie, DeBalino, and the others.