Category Archives: Health

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: August 30, 2015

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY August 30, 2015

Outside my window… 88F. It’s vastly better than the high 90’s and triple digits we’ve been having!

I am thinking… about some financial things.

I am thankful… for the wonderful sermon this morning on Mark 7 that referenced parts of the Collect for Purity that we say every Sunday morning.

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

In the kitchen… I haven’t decided on dinner yet but I think my MIL is making liver and onions for my FIL.

I am wearing… my Run for the Little Flowers shirt and black shorts.

I am going… to Pep Boys tomorrow for new tires. I had a blowout on Friday and Jon had one today. Thank God for AAA! (I could have changed mine by myself but it was over 100F and I had Daniel with me.)

I am wondering… if Daniel will sleep through the night and not come into my room at 1 a.m. to start bouncing on the bed. (Not that this has happened the last two nights or anything…)

I am reading… Lord of the Wings by Donna Andrews. I finished Friendship Cake by Lynne Hinton last week and made it through Long Upon the Land by Margaret Maron as well.

I am hoping… my G-I appointment bears fruit this week even though I haven’t gotten to have the abdominal ultrasound appointment yet.

I am looking forward to… to having all the medical appointments for Daniel over this week.

I am hearing… Daniel on his toy laptop.

A Daniel story for today… when he was quite a bit younger (2 or 3), he wanted to go for a walk at my parents’ house. When I wasn’t responding quickly enough, he started bringing me every shoe he could find.

Around the house… air-conditioning. Yay!

A favorite quote for today… “Friendship is born at that moment when one man says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .'” — C.S. Lewis

One of my favorite things… cool air.

A few plans for the rest of the week: getting tires tomorrow, PT on Tuesday, G-I specialist on Wednesday, Daniel’s sedated dentist appointment and probably orthopedics x-rays on Thursday, and his orthopedist appointment on Friday.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

7 Quick Takes: Cleaning Out My Bookmarks from the Last Week

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Worship Music Link #1. I’ve been a worship musician (not a choir member) for almost 16 years and while I like doing “contemporary music” every so often, I really prefer the older hymns. It’s an issue of musicality for me and also that many praise songs are theologically-shallow or inaccurate. Here are a few examples and why we need to stop singing them.

— 2 —

Worship Music Link #2. Here is a fabulous piece addressing why we need to stop singing praise songs. Be sure to click on all the links to understand why it is so wonderful.

— 3 —

Worship Music Link #3. I found this in the “I’m fed up with bad church music” group on Facebook and I know there are some praise songs I would pay serious money to not have to sing. What hymn/praise song/service music would you pay good money to block?

Block a hymn

— 4 —

Worship Music Link #4. One of the rants I see online frequently has to do with how the Catholic church has a beautiful tradition of choral music going back 1500 years and yet we have to settle for Marty Haugen, David Haas, and so on. Someone posted the “Glory Pony” mass on there and it’s facepalm-ingly bad how similar the mass setting is to the “My Little Pony” theme.

— 5 —

Twitter does it again. One of the best things I’ve seen online in the last few weeks is the #ThingsJesusNeverSaid hashtag on Twitter.

— 6 —

For those who love people with anxiety. Those who have anxiety or who love people with anxiety need to read this piece.

— 7 —

It makes a difference. While I was up in San Jose this month, I was worshipping with my friend Rebecca at my home congregation and I was in the pews this last week at my church here with my VBS music partner-in-crime Margaret. It was a content feeling each Sunday and upon reflection, I think the reason is that I didn’t have to explain what I was doing (standing, kneeling, sitting, singing, genuflecting) or *why* I was doing it as I frequently have to do when I’m at church in Jon’s Lutheran parishes given that my practice of the faith is more toward the Catholic and Anglican part of the spectrum. I’m liking the opportunity to worship with like-minded people and to not be on display all the time.

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: August 23, 2015

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY August 23, 2015

Outside my window… dark. It got into the 90’s here today which was irritating but unfortunately not uncommon for August. (And yes, I’m seriously praying that Jon gets a call to a colder climate. The Arctic Circle is looking lovely right now.)

I am thinking… about some of the more asinine arguments and statements in favor of homeschooling that I saw on the Web today. I have friends who are amazing homeschooling parents like Dawn and Kelly so I’m definitely not opposed to it (also because my husband was homeschooled); but seriously, some of the crud I read today would be at home on the Sanctimommy page on Facebook.

I am thankful… for Daniel going back to school tomorrow. I’m kind of bummed that we didn’t get to go to Meet-the-Teacher on Friday but it was worth it to get the extra respite time with my parents.

In the kitchen… cheese and crackers because it’s too hot to do anything involving the oven, microwave, or stove.

I am wearing… the black cat nightshirt that my mother-in-law got me here as a coming-home present.

I am going… to pray Compline from the Book of Common Prayer when I’m done here.

I am wondering… how Daniel will do tomorrow with his longer school day.

I am reading… Friendship Cake by Lynne Hinton. I was reading Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu but it deals with the subculture that surrounds families like the Duggars and it just wasn’t a good thing in which to immerse myself at the moment.

I am hoping… the pain in my foot from walking almost 6 miles on Friday will go away.

I am looking forward to… being able to go for prayer walks and work out once Daniel is on the bus tomorrow.

I am hearing… various things on iTunes and YouTube.

A Daniel story for today… he said “mo nanna” (“more banana”) to my mom when she was watching him while I was somewhere last week.

Around the house… silence. It is positively blissful.

A favorite quote for today… “The worship-to-panda ratio has gone a different direction.” — Rend Collective in this video:

One of my favorite things… club soda when I’m trying to beat my Coca-Cola addiction.

A few plans for the rest of the week: PT on Tuesday, a bunch of phone calls, and getting medical records and such ready for a bunch of Daniel appointments.

A peek into my day… I was trying to explain this video to a friend last week. I find it hysterically funny because I’ve attended a church like this.

Post Script…

This is my favorite worship song and very few people outside of the UK or my chapter of Intervarsity know of it.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: August 16, 2015

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY August 16, 2015

Outside my window… dark. It was over 100F in San Jose today which did not make me a happy Jen. We also have smoke from the wildfires in the northern part of the state so it’s not good air for walks with the small child. *makes mental note to go in and record miles walked in the last week on MapMyRun*

I am thinking… about things in the coming week.

I am thankful… for the time with my parents. It’s been a good week with them and I’ve gotten to get together with a few people including Rebecca.

In the kitchen… Dad made hot dogs again tonight.

I am wearing… jammies (charcoal v-neck from Old Navy and black capri sweats from Target).

I am going… to the store tomorrow for more apple juice for Daniel.

I am wondering… about a lot of things right now.

I am reading… The Alpine Yeoman by Mary Daheim for the third time. (2nd re-read this time.)

I am hoping… for resolution in some areas of my life.

I am looking forward to… a mall date with Rebecca to get some Giants socks. I’m going to my first MLB baseball game in a few weeks and it’s at Dodger Stadium so I can’t wear my Giants stuff. Before I even knew about the game, Jon and my priest were negotiating the terms. I can’t wear my Lincecum shirt (which I only have because they weren’t selling Romo shirts at Target) but I can wear Giants socks. I am also not allowed to boo Kershaw or Puig, which I think is completely unfair.

I am hearing… David Wesley singing on YouTube. (He’s a Canadian Christian version of Peter Hollens.)

A Daniel story for today… He’s been taking over closets at my parents’ house and playing with his tablet in them.

Around the house… silence as I think everyone is likely asleep.

A favorite quote for today… “When I pray for another person, I am praying for God to open my eyes so that I can see that person as God does, and then enter into the stream of love that God already directs toward that person.” — Philip Yancey

One of my favorite things… Coca-Cola which is pretty much banned at my parents’ house – my mom got me some one night when I needed “comfort food” (I’m weird, OK?) and she was referring to it as “hemlock”. Whenever I’d take a sip, I would say, “mmmmm… minty!” (According to a murder mystery, hemlock tastes minty.)

A few plans for the rest of the week: drive back down to LA and whatever else comes up.

A peek into my day… Daniel and I in the redwoods.

Daniel and I in the redwoods at Henry Cowell State Park.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

7 Quick Takes: Ramblings from Tiredness

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

504 plans and IEP’s. Around this time of year, the question of 504 plans vs. IEP’s comes up in the groups with whom I hang on Facebook. This is the definition of a 504 plan and this is how it compares with an IEP. (The difference is accommodations vs. specialized instruction.)

For those keeping track, Daniel has an IEP.

— 2 —

For moms of non-verbal kiddos… Daniel’s 1:1 buddy from VBS at my church sent me this. It also works for elderly adults who may wander.

— 3 —

Prerequisite baseball take. Currently, the Dodgers are losing to Cincinnati and the Giants are beating the Nats. Life is as it should be. 🙂 (Why yes, I am conveniently ignoring the fact that the Giants are 3.5 games behind the Dodgers in the standings and am instead baiting my husband with tonight’s scores.)

— 4 —

Cosmo and controversy. Last week while heading somewhere with Daniel (I think to get x-rays), I heard something about Rite Aid and a couple other national supermarket chains putting Cosmopolitan magazine behind a screen in checkout stands because the titles are too lewd for kids to read; and apparently, kids are asking their parents some pretty uncomfortable questions based on them. (We’re talking questions about sex acts and anatomy that their parents aren’t comfortable explaining to a 4 year old.)

So… should Cosmo be put behind a screen: yea or nay?

— 5 —

Don’t piss off women! Donald Trump insulted Megyn Kelly last week by blaming her hard questioning of him on her being on her period so there’s now a hashtag on Twitter with which women are trolling him with their period announcements.

I’m also heartened by Donald Trump being uninvited from the RedState Gathering for being such a jerk to Megyn Kelly. Even better: Megyn Kelly was invited in his place. It shows that Republicans are taking women seriously this time.

— 6 —

Eschet chayil! Dr. Frances Kelsey, who protected Americans from thalidomide, died last week at the age of 101. Because of her, the US was spared the scores of kids born with deformed arms and legs, deformed eyes and hearts, deformed alimentary and urinary tracts, blindness and deafness born in other countries where the use of the drug hadn’t been restricted. (It was used as an anti-nausea med and crossed the placental barrier.)

Irony of ironies, it is actually one of the chemotherapeutic agents used for my father-in-law’s type of cancer but they are meticulous about making sure that anyone prescribed it has no chance of getting pregnant or getting anyone else pregnant. It is also used to treat leprosy.

— 7 —

For Potterheads. This is funny but mildly NSFW.

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: August 9, 2015

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY August 9, 2015

Outside my window… hot. Weather.Com says it’s 86F outside and I’ll trust them on that one. I’m also writing this before dark which is unusual for me; but I’m with my parents for 10 days and am not having to restrict blogging to times when Daniel is asleep.

I am thinking… about some things being discussed in some of the Facebook groups with whom I hang.

I am thankful… to be able to find stations for my listening pleasure on my 8-hour drive north yesterday. I normally listen to my CD collection or books on CD but the CD player in my car is refusing to cooperate. It was a melange of NPR, Air1, KLOVE, and Family Radio (which had some fabulous instrumental and acapella music).

In the kitchen… not sure what we’re having tonight but the Hawaiian pizza from Round Table was fabulous last night.

I am wearing… black “perfect tee” from Old Navy and capris from Kohl’s. My church attire was a top and pants from Kohl’s and Maude shoes from Naturalizer.

I am going… to Target for school clothes for Daniel in the next couple days.

I am wondering… about some things that are due to happen in the next few months.

I am reading… The Alpine Zen by Mary Daheim. I’ll be finishing my re-read and then re-reading The Alpine Yeoman which is the previous book in the series.

I am hoping… for a good visit with my parents and that my doctor can figure out what the Hades is going on with my stomach.

I am looking forward to… Daniel going back to school. Kiddo has been B-O-R-E-D for the last few weeks.

I am hearing… Rend Collective on YouTube singing “My Lighthouse”:

A Daniel story for today… we’ve been referring to him as “Toothless” since he lost the bottom tooth on Wednesday.

A favorite quote for today… “Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons for you are crunchy and go well with ketchup.”

One of my favorite things… pesto bagel with garlic schmear from The Posh Bagel.

A few plans for the rest of the week: park dates, back-to-school shopping, and lots of walking.

A peek into my day… more Rend Collective. 🙂 This one is a song I’ve shared before and it’s called “Build Your Kingdom Here”. I’m seriously amused by bluegrass style instruments, Salvation Army band members, and fireeaters sharing the same space.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

7 Quick Takes: Why I Am Not Watching the GOP Debate and Other Parts of My Week

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Reason #1 why I am not watching the GOP debate. I can only deal with so many bloviating people before I want to drink myself into a stupor.

— 2 —

Reason #2 why I am not watching the GOP debate. The election is not until November of next year. I honestly don’t give a crap at this juncture about who in the GOP thinks they should run. When we’re 6 months from Election Day, I’ll possibly start paying attention.

— 3 —

Reason #3 why I am not watching the GOP debate. Donald Trump. Enough said.

— 4 —

Reason #4 why I am not watching the GOP debate. I don’t have a TV. 🙂

— 5 —

Jen and her food issues. I find that I really resonate with this piece from Buzzfeed on picky eating. Between food allergies and having to avoid certain foods (and cuisines) 6yto keep from exacerbating my G-I issues, I get quite a lot of flak for being a picky eater. Thing is… I’m not rude about it and for me it comes down to the fact that I don’t want to eat something that is going to cause me pain or aggravation.

There are also just some foods that I just don’t like and I’ll take small portions of those to be polite; but I’m not going to eat large amounts of something on my plate and praise it unless I actually *LIKE* it. To do otherwise would be a lie and will cause me problems down the road when people assume I love it and make it for me in large quantities.

— 6 —

The prerequisite take on vaccines. Some of the most vociferous objectors to vaccines that I’ve found have been Catholics claiming that it isn’t allowable because of their derivation from cell lines taken from aborted fetuses.

Actually, it *IS* allowable regardless because of the effect on public health.

— 7 —

Daniel’s dental appointment. Daniel had a consultation at a pediatric dentist in Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday. He was relatively good for it but definitely refused to let them do the full exam with x-rays, cleaning, etc. The dentist is totally used to this and can sedate him for the exam so we’re seeing his doctor tomorrow to get medical clearance for the sedation. Once we have that in hand, we can schedule the appointment. Denti-Cal has to pre-authorize all this so I’m thinking we’ll have at least a month before they can get it scheduled. If you could pray that this all comes together sooner than later, I’d appreciate it. Please and thank you!

Daniel also lost his second tooth last night while we were brushing his teeth. Given that they thought they might have to extract it, this is good news.

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