Category Archives: Faith

7 Quick Takes: Epiphanies This Week

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Paul Ryan and the Republicans’ attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act. My thoughts are here. They are longer than a Quick Take so they are a separate post.

— 2 —

Prayer Request. My friend Amy has a rare and nasty pregnancy condition called placenta accreta. Tomorrow, they will be doing a c-section to deliver her baby boy as well as a hysterectomy to save her life because of the placenta issue. It’s a serious surgery and she is very much “standing in the need of prayer” as the old song says. Please pray for her safety in surgery, that they can make her comfortable during pre-op, and that her recovery goes well. Please also pray for her husband and four kids at home.

**UPDATE** They delivered her son at 9:07 a.m. CST and he was able to go straight to the nursery. They finished surgery 4-5 hours later and thankfully did not have to do any repair work to vital organs. She required 32 units of blood and they’re hoping to be able to get her off the ventilator, out of surgical ICU, and onto maternity soon. God willing, and she continues to recover well, she’ll be home in 3-4 days.

— 3 —

Twitter and the sitch in Oregon. Someone on Twitter came up with the hashtag #YallQaeda for the militia members holed up at the national park building in Oregon and some of the tweets regarding it just slay me. The tweets on them forgetting to pack in sufficient rations are even better.

— 4 —

Bhutanese refugees. Did you know that there are a number of Bhutanese refugees in Iowa? Yeah, neither did I. Apparently, more refugees came here from Bhutan in 2012 than any other country. (Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is the current leader.)

— 5 —

No more scampi for me. Apparently, indentured and enslaved workers fuel the Thai shrimp industry and the US imports half of the shrimp produced by Thailand. As much as I love my dad’s shrimp pasta, I’m going to have to either forgo it or find a source for peeled shrimp that meets my ethical standards.

— 6 —

Temperature blanket update. Herrschners finally shipped my yarn (stupid holiday weekend!) so God willing, I will have it by next Thursday and can start catching up on the blanket. I also need to do lovely things like calculate gauge so that will probably be a project over the long MLK Day weekend.

More ideas for patterns are here and here; and there is a tutorial for the whole temperature afghan concept here.

— 7 —

#OneWord2016 At Epiphany Eucharist on Wednesday, we were invited to select a decorative star from somewhere around the sanctuary and on the back was written one word. This word would be ours for purposes of prayer and meditation for this year and I’ll use mine for #OneWord2016 purposes. The word on the back of the star I chose: “direction”. For those who know me, this is a relevant word this year. Look for more posts on the subject once I’m done with SSI appeals and fighting with Medi-Cal.

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: January 3, 2016

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY January 3, 2016

Outside my window… dark and showering a little bit. It was sunny and 61F when I went to church and $tarbux with Rebecca today. It got grey later on when the storms started rolling in and we ended up getting some sprinkles. The fun is supposed to be Monday night into Tuesday. Bring it, El Niño!

I am thinking… about the temperature blanket I’ve planned to do. Herrschners hasn’t shipped my yarn yet so I might have quite a bit to make up when it finally does arrive! I’m thinking I’ll do either this pattern or this pattern as I’ll have 366 rows plus edging to do!.

I am thankful… that my kiddo went to sleep around 7 and has largely stayed asleep. It meant that I could get my mom’s help in getting the fleece cut for my dad’s Christmas present which will be tied on Tuesday while I’m sitting and meeting with someone.

In the kitchen… I’m feeling so crummy from this mutant death cold and fibro flare (because nasal congestion is just so much more enhanced with moving fibro pain, right?) that I just heated up some frozen pizza. Thankfully, I didn’t have any eating resolutions for the New Year!

I am wearing… my Run for the Little Flowers shirt and black sweats. (They’re my jammies tonight.)

I am going… to go back to watching Viperkeeper videos when I finish this post. Well… it’s either that or draft one on Titus 2 women.

I am wondering… if I’ll be able to make the necessary appointments for Daniel and I this week or if I’ll have to take the kiddo to Urgent Care to get more Adderall. (Our insurance changed and I spent the afternoon of the 31st working out who our doctors will be because all the ones near me or admit to my local hospital that are on Santa Clara Family Health Plan aren’t taking new patients.)

I am reading… Parchment and Old Lace by Laura Childs. After that, I’ll tackle A Lesson in Hope by Phillip Gulley. Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber is on hold until I get through all the stuff from the library. Thankfully, it’s mostly essays so it’s OK. *pets my e-reader*

I am hoping… I win at least extra stars in the Starbucks for Life contest.

I am looking forward to… Bible study with my ladies on Thursday and the Eucharists for Epiphany on Wednesday.

I am hearing… silence as Daniel is asleep, my mom is asleep (though her TV is on), and Dad is at the other end of the house watching something on PBS.

A Daniel story for today… When the kiddo wakes up after falling asleep on the heating vent, he’ll crawl into bed with me; and for some odd reason, his feet have to be touching me for him to sleep… and they’re usually cold! As a result, I’ve been having to make kind of a blanket fortress to protect myself and keep myself warm.

Around the house… the painting continues. Mom got her bedroom closet done this weekend.

A favorite quote for today… “Praise youth and it will prosper.” — Irish proverb that I think is very true, especially after hearing some of my husband’s former parishioners grousing about “young people” in his last parish. (The “young people” in question were 50-60 years old!)

One of my favorite things… uninterrupted sleep. I rarely get it these days.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Target and errands tomorrow, long drive for a meeting on Tuesday and possibly Knit Wits, Epiphany worship on Wednesday, Bible study and choir on Thursday, doctor’s appointments at some time during the week, and a games night with friends on Saturday. Oh yes… the kid goes back to school on Tuesday which is a good thing — he needs more structure than I can give him, especially when I’m this sick and barely able to adult on my own.

A peek into my day… Daniel asleep on me right before our trip to Washington for Christmas

Daniel sleeping on me.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

7 Quick Takes: Some New Year’s Musings

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Appropriate music. Rather than find a new and cool version “Auld Lang Syne” (which I think I have maybe sung once in my life, if at all), here’s a beautiful song for the New Year sung by Golden Bough, one of my favorite Celtic ensembles in northern California. You’re welcome. 🙂

— 2 —

Final update on resolutions. If my sweet angel decides to sleep tonight, I’ll be reading the last chapter of Zechariah and all of Malachi tonight. I recommend reading the Bible in a year and two good programs for that are here and here.

**UPDATE** Finished at 11:45 p.m. Boo yah!

My planking challenges were craptastic at best. Not to mention, who the heck does planks for fun?!?!?!?!?

— 3 —

Another Golden Bough song. This one is the song I associate with Golden Bough. The ensemble has been around since the time of my birth. My parents used to hear them perform at an Irish pub in Campbell. Enjoy!

— 4 —

Book suggestions for 2016. Kelly asked for book suggestions for 2016. My suggestions: anything by Rachel Held Evans (I read Searching for Sunday by her this year and loved it), Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson, and Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber if you can deal with the profanity. (Nadia is nothing if not fluent in cursing like a sailor.) For murder mysteries that are completely absurd, check out Donna Andrews.

— 5 —

Resolutions for 2016. Here are some resolutions for 2016:

-Make a temperature afghan. Thankfully, Herrschners has good sales because my local Michael’s is sub-par and my ethics don’t allow me to shop at Hobby Lobby.

-Potty-train the munchkin. Because autism and living skills.

-Finish the various yarn things on my plate and make my parents their Christmas presents. I’ve got sock yarn for my mom’s striped socks and fleece to tie for my dad’s John Deere blankie. (My dad is a retired mechanical engineer and loves farm equipment so I get him all manner of John Deere things.) I also need to finish a stuffed animal for a friend who had a baby last year (aiming for the kiddo’s 1st birthday because I’ve managed to miss their birth and 6 month birthdays) and finish the munchkin’s big boy blankie.

-Get my prayer life back on track.

There are some others but I can’t talk about them yet.

— 6 —

Coming up on the blog. I’d like to do a series on parenting kids with special needs and get some guest posts (*coughcoughcough* Kelly *coughcoughcough* Kathleen) on the subject as well.

— 7 —

My plans for the evening. Dinner will be served as soon as I hit “publish”. Dad grilled up some steak and there are tater tots and Caesar salad. Dessert are some double chocolate Magnum bars. There’s a party and dancing at church tonight but I’m kind of looking forward to a quiet evening at home. If I beg hard enough, Dad might even make me a fire in the fireplace. I’ll be up at midnight but no champagne — I can’t drink.

**UPDATE** Dad fell asleep in his recliner early so little Miss Gold Award Girl Scout here tried to build her own fire, the first one in 17 years… and failed. I uttered the magic word (“Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad!!!!!”) and he woke up, shook his head at me, and opened a secret case that had special aged tinder used to start a fire. Thankfully, he did not comment on how I should know how to do this.

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: December 28, 2015

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY December 28, 2015

Outside my window… gray. Daniel and I walked to the library earlier and Mom and I did a Target/Costco run; but it looks like anything else will require a car, headlights, and windshield wipers. Bring it, El Niño!

I am thinking… about things I have to get done this week, emails I need to write, and calls I need to make. Thankfully, Daniel is being quiet right now so I can get things done.

I am thankful… for getting to eat pizza with my parents in front of a fire in the fireplace last night while Daniel played in the living room and eventually fell asleep next to me. Good times.

In the kitchen… probably a frozen dinner so I can get caught up from being gone for 5 days and not have to think about food.

I am wearing… black shirt and jeans. I’m discalced as usual.

I am going… back to Target later to drop off my prescription.

I am wondering… why the Saint’s Name Generator gave me Josemaria Escriva for 2016.

I am reading… the last part of Zechariah and all of Malachi this week in my read-the-Bible-in-a-year plan. I’ll probably be starting Parchment and Old Lace by Laura Childs this week as well.

I am hoping… to have a peaceful New Year’s Eve at home.

I am looking forward to… Daniel going back to school on the 5th.

I am hearing… the fish tank behind me.

A Daniel story for today… kiddo has been falling asleep on the heating vent in our room and gravitates there any time the furnace is on, especially in the morning.

Around the house… fairly quiet as my dad is in his office and my mom is watching TV in her room with the cats. Daniel is in a closet in Mom’s office playing.

One of my favorite things… being home.

A few plans for the rest of the week: errands with the kid and whatever comes up.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

7 Quick Takes: More Islamophobia, UPS Screws Up, and Autism Studies

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Really? Apparently, schools in Augusta County, Virginia will be closed tomorrow over the “tone and content” of messages received about a high school lesson in which students were presented with an example of Arabic calligraphy and told to try and copy it to help them understand the artistry involved. It was a World Geography class so it wasn’t like the assignment wasn’t topical. The problem: it was the shahada or statement of belief in Islam and I guess some people erroneously interpreted it as the teacher trying to convert the students even though students were not asked to translate it, recite it or otherwise adopt or pronounce it as a personal belief.

I’m sitting here scratching my head because we did this thing ALL THE TIME in my elementary and middle school classes when we studied Islam as part of world history. As far as I know, nobody ever felt the need or pressure to convert and we understood that the calligraphy was a form of art, kind of like having a lesson in which we were copying Chinese characters.

*starts making tin foil hats for all the people flipping out in Virginia*

— 2 —

More Islamophobia. Last week, a nasty woman made derogatory comments to some Muslims praying at Lake Chabot Regional Park, hit one of them with an umbrella, and threw coffee at them. Today, she was charged. Props to the Alameda County District Attorney for bringing charges! The woman is entitled to believe whatever the heck she wants about Islam but assaulting people over it is crossing a number of lines.

— 3 —

Brain chemical linked to autism. Scientists have discovered that the breakdown of the signaling pathway used by the neurotransmitter GABA is linked to autistic behavior. Wow. I guess it had been shown to be the case in animal models but this is the first time it’s been linked to it in humans.

Maybe research will eventually lead to a medication that can help avoid the breakdown of that particular pathway?

— 4 —

Prerequisite weather take. We’re supposed to be getting rain this weekend. I am positively giddy! Rain can be a migraine trigger for me but I still love it.

— 5 —

Self-promotion. I wrote a blog post about how I put together my Christmas cards every year. Go read it!

— 6 —

UPS is on my naughty list. My Shutterfly cards were supposed to arrive today and were even in San Jose. I logged on to the UPS site to see if they were out for delivery and got the following message:

We’ve incorrectly sorted the package at our facility. This may cause at least one business day delay.

Guess where the package is? Kalispell, Montana! That’s NOT in California, much less probably 10 miles from where I live (or wherever UPS has their sorting facility here). I’m thinking it will be at least Saturday before I can get my cards assembled… and Daniel’s last day of school is tomorrow! (In other words, I’m losing a free morning.) *shakes fist at my former employer*

— 7 —

One more autism study. This one links autism with moms taking anti-depressants during pregnancy. Oops! In my case, I didn’t really have a choice as taking me off of my Effexor XR caused severe nausea, panic attacks, vertigo, and other problems that led to a late night ER run and me being hospitalized to get fluids into me while they tried to get me stabilized. My high-risk doctor instructed them to PUT ME BACK ON MY MEDS WITH ALL POSSIBLE SPEED. Lucky for me, the benefit to the mom outweighs the risk for the baby so I got my Effexor XR back and they dropped me to the lowest possible dose that was still therapeutically beneficial.

As for it being the cause of Daniel’s autism, his genetic testing showed that his autism is the result of some additions and deletions on different genes so I’m off the hook for this one.

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

{five favorites}: Favorite Lesser Known Christmas Carols

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#5Faves

I totally am aware that Christmas isn’t for a week and a half. I’m going to be super busy with family things next week so I’m sharing these now!

One

On This Day Earth Shall Ring. I heard this one for the first time at Midnight Mass at either my grandparents’ Episcopal church (most likely) or my church in San Jose about 20 years ago. I love the joyful tone even in the minor key. The Latin doesn’t hurt either. 🙂

Two

Transeamus usque Bethlehem. This is one I learned off of one of Mom’s Christmas CD’s. It’s a German Christmas carol sung in Latin. This particular version has some meaning to me because my mom has actually been to this particular cathedral — she was in Köln on a business trip in the late 90’s and saw this in her spare time.

Three

Star in the East. This carol is done in the shape-note style which was a way of teaching singing and hymnody in the 19th century. It actually pre-dates many of our American Christmas carols. I heard it for the first time this year and I love the harmonies.

Four

While By My Sheep I Watched At Night. I sang this for the first time with the adult choir of my church in San Jose in 1997. I was going through Christmas Eve stuff with them last week (even though I’ll be gone) and we sang through it. Daniel loves to sing “Joy Joy Joy” from the kid’s song “I’ve Got the Joy Joy Joy Joy Down in My Heart” and I had to laugh because it reminded me of him.

Five

The Huron Carol. This carol was written by Jesuit missionary and martyr St. Jean de Brebeuf in 1643. I love the imagery of the Christmas story told in First Nation terms. The top video is done in the Huron language. The bottom one is done masterfully by the Canadian Tenors. This was also one of my late grandfather’s favorite carols so I think of him every time I have opportunity to sing it in church.

Go love up Ashley.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: December 13, 2015

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY December 13, 2015

Outside my window… dark. It was in the mid-50’s with rain today. I found it positively delightful. Next weekend is supposed to be rainy as well. El Niño is more than welcome in my humble opinion.

I am thinking… about what I need to get accomplished this week.

I am thankful… for the chance to sleep in until 9 a.m. yesterday. I sorely needed it.

In the kitchen… Dad made steak, potatoes, and salad tonight. He also got Cherry Garcia for dessert. Yum!

I am wearing… my VBS shirt from this year and black capri sweats.

I am going… to be working on Daniel’s SSI overpayment appeal this week.

I am wondering… if we’ll have the kitchen back to normal this week. *crosses fingers*

I am reading… some Jessica Beck murder mysteries and Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber.

I am hoping… the counters arrive this week so the sink and stove can be installed and I can cook again.

I am looking forward to… seeing family at Christmas.

I am hearing… The Bells of Dublin by the Chieftains. It’s my favorite Christmas album and what we used to put on while decorating the tree.

A Daniel story for today… Mr. Boy curls up on the heating vents in the morning so I curled up with him on the one in the living room this morning and wrapped a blanket around us to keep the heat in. He is a wonderful cuddlebug.

Around the house… people sleeping. I think I’m the only one awake.

A favorite quote for today… “How can God stoop lower than to come and dwell with a poor humble soul? Which is more than if he had said, such a one should dwell with him; for a beggar to live at court is not so much as the king to dwell with him in his cottage.” — William Gurnall

One of my favorite things… Coca-Cola. I know how bad it is for me but it’s irresistible at times.

A few plans for the rest of the week: organize my Christmas card list, work on Daniel’s appeal, knitting group on Tuesday, Daniel’s 30-Day IEP meeting on Wednesday, Bible study on Thursday morning, choir on Thursday night, and whatever else comes up.

A peek into my day… Our anthem from this morning:

Post Script…

My friend Carrie also blogged about gluten-free life for 31 Days of Writing and she compiled all her recipes into a new cookbook. She offered me a copy and after reading it, I am excited about cooking!

I should warn people that it isn’t grain-free in the event that people are following the advice of renowned quack William Davis of Wheat Belly. (I’m not linking to his blog because I don’t want to give him any more hits than necessary.)

Anyway, go check it out!

Hosted by The Simple Woman.