Category Archives: Music

7 Quick Takes: Songs That Are Pulling Me Through Right Now

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7 Quick Takes

I want to thank everyone who has emailed me, sent me Facebook messages, or who have reached out to me in other ways to let me know that they are praying for my sitch. It means more to me than you know.

I have no plans to share details of what is happening in my personal life online except to say that I am in a really hard place mentally and emotionally right now and I need some serious prayer.

— 1 —

“If I Stand” by Rich Mullins. This is probably my favorite song in the world and I found it during a really dark time in my life. I love the idea of falling on God’s grace when I just can’t stand on my own.

— 2 —

“Hold Me Jesus” by Rich Mullins. I post the lyrics to this one on occasion when I am in a really tough place. Right now, I am really having to be held by God because I am lacking the strength to do anything on my own these days in terms of prayer.

— 3 —

“Worn” by Tenth Avenue North. It perfectly describes me right now and speaks to me as someone who suffers from depression and anxiety.

— 4 —

“No Longer Slaves” by Bethel Music. I need the reminder frequently that I am a child of God, as the chorus states. Last night when I was fighting insomnia, I had this on repeat.

— 5 —

“Thou Wilt Keep Him in Perfect Peace” by Samuel Sebastian Wesley. We sang this as an anthem during Lent 2003 at Jon’s internship congregation. It has remained one of my favorites since then.

— 6 —

“Who Am I” by Casting Crowns. This is another song that describes the place that I am in right now. It has been a favorite song of mine for probably 12 years now and I think it perfectly describes the Christian faith.

— 7 —

“Lord, I Need You” by Matt Maher. My attempts at prayer right now are usually me crying out to God about how much I need His peace in my life. I especially love this version recorded at WYD 2013 in Rio because Matt is singing it on his knees in front of the Eucharist. Seriously a powerful image.

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

{five favorites}: Lenten Disciplines

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#5Faves

Unless you live under a rock or don’t attend a liturgical church, you probably know that Lent starts next week for the Western Church. (Those in the East have another month to go.) As I’ve now been at this for 20 years, I thought I’d share some of my favorite Lenten disciplines. Also… if you want a shot at picking mine for me, go here before Friday and enter by leaving me a comment.

One

Spiritual reading. For the last few years, I’ve had some kind of spiritual reading component as part of Lent. I’ve done Igniting Our Values, Bread and Wine, and A Season for the Spirit before.

My recommendations if you want some Lenten reading this year: any of the above as well as Jesus: A Pilgimage by James Martin, S.J., Seven Last Words by James Martin, S.J. (I haven’t read this yet but am looking forward to doing so based on his other works), A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans, and Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evans.

Two

Crocheting a square every day. For fiber junkies like me, crocheting or knitting a square a day toward a blanket to be put together after Easter is a good way to be mindful of the season and also get some creativity in. Bonus points if you can pray while doing it.

Three

Dietary changes. I’ve given up meat, chocolate, and Coke before. It sounds really pathetic in comparison to the fasting guidelines that Eastern Christians have but it’s been an exercise in mindfulness to me as I’m forced to think about Jesus every time I get a craving for whatever it is.

Four

Blogging. I’ve done faith-blogging every day, blogging about Christian music daily, and blogging about music every Monday in the past. It was a good exercise in journalling and got me thinking about my faith and how I live it.

Five

Prayer. Two years ago, Beth Anne challenged me to find a church to pray in twice a week and Kelly challenged me last year to pick someone to pray for daily including 5 “enemies”. Both stretched me and improved my prayer life.

Go love up Ashley and the others.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: January 31, 2016

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY January 31, 2016

Outside my window… sunny. The sun came out while I was at church this morning and it’s warm enough for shirt sleeves outside. Weather Underground says it’s in the low 50’s.

I am thinking… about the data I’m putting into spreadsheets for tax purposes. I’m trying to get them done super early in case we owe so that we have time to come up with the money.

I am thankful… for the lady in my Bible study who rang my doorbell on Thursday night and handed me $tarbux cards that she had gotten for being a science fair judge. She’s not a coffee drinker so she passed them on to me. I appreciate that she thought of me.

In the kitchen… nothing from scratch tonight. I’ll probably heat up something frozen.

I am wearing… a blue-green shirt and jeans.

I am going… to take Daniel for a haircut in a little bit. The local barber does well with him.

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

I am reading… A Lesson in Hope by Phillip Gulley. I’m hoping to pick Accidental Saints back up before too long.

I am hoping… my week goes well and I can get done what I need to get done.

I am looking forward to… the knitting/crocheting group that meets at my church this coming Tuesday night.

I am hearing… Daniel chattering.

A Daniel story for today… he will point to the CD player and say an approximation of “music”. There is one specific CD by Altan that he loves and that CD needs to be the first in the rotation. (He is *TOTALLY* my kid.)

Around the house… mom is painting, Dad is puttering, Daniel is playing, and I am doing taxes.

A favorite quote for today… “You know you’re an adult when you can be right without proving the other person wrong.” — #1 on this list.

One of my favorite things… club soda. It’s standing in for Coca-Cola right now.

A few plans for the rest of the week: haircut for the kid, intake interview for the group managing Daniel’s meds tomorrow, mental health screening for me on Tuesday (my doctor up here doesn’t prescribe psychiatric meds so I’m having to get a psychiatrist referral through the county), follow-up doctor’s appointment for my lab work on Wednesday, Bible study on Thursday, and whatever else comes up.

A peek into my day… Someone in the Temperature Blanket Group on Facebook was sharing about a woman whose kids took a crochet hook and a chain she had made and framed it for her. I thought it was a fabulous way of remembering her and remembering her crocheting.

A crochet hook and chain framed.

Post Script…

You have four days left to pick my Lenten discipline. As much as it seems like I’m making a game out of this, I have honestly been stretched and have grown because of the disciplines people have assigned me so go pick one for me! It’s also open to everyone regardless of religious tradition.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

{five favorites}: Miscellanea (LVI)

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#5Faves

One

My temperature afghan yarn. I finally have it in my hot little hands!!! *bouncebouncebounce* I’ve got the scheme worked out and I’m doing my least favorite part: chaining and the first row. My pattern involves stitch sets so I’m having to count off a specific number of stitches and put a safety pin to mark the stitches. Once I’ve gotten a couple rows in, it will be easier.

My yarn for my temperature afghan.

Two

Coffee. Given that it’s an El Niño winter, I’m waking up with a decent headache every morning. (Weather changes are one of my migraine triggers.) This is not making me happy but my daily coffee does.

Three

The Rose Ensemble. I have seriously fallen in love with this ensemble from the Twin Cities. So much pretty music! So much academic background! This is one of my loves right now:

(It’s a medieval hymn to St. James sung on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Campostella. #musicgeek)

Four

This bedtime checklist for toddlers. It also exists in our house except that it involves requests for cheese and milk. While I’m not a fan of negotiating with terrorists Daniel, giving in to that one means I don’t get woken up at 3 a.m. with requests for food… most of the time.

Five

Viperkeeper. This is probably the worst thing for me to watch to fall asleep because of my fear of snakes but it’s so darn entertaining!

Go love up Ashley and the others.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: January 10, 2016

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY January 10, 2016

Outside my window… gray and about 57F out right now according to Weather Underground. We had sun this morning and it started getting grey while Rebecca and I were having coffee.

I am thinking… about the things I have to get done this week and the places in downtown San Jose I have to go.

I am thankful… that we were able to get Daniel’s ADHD meds filled for one more month. It gives us a tiny bit of flexibility so we can get him to a specialist who can track him.

In the kitchen… my stomach is in knots so probably a frozen dinner, if anything tonight. I don’t much feel like cooking.

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

I am going… to bed early tonight if I can help it. I’m exhausted and it’s only 3 p.m.

I am wondering… if UPS will actually deliver my yarn this week without sending it on a surprise journey through some other states like they did with my Christmas card order from Shutterfly. It’s sitting in San Pablo right now and San Jose needs to be the next stop. I’m also waiting impatiently for my copy of Kelly’s planner.

I am reading… still Parchment and Old Lace by Laura Childs. I haven’t had a lot of sit down time without something else to do in the last week or so and that cuts into my reading time. Accidental Saints is still on hold until I get through my library backlog.

I am hoping… my stuff arrives on time because I *REALLY* want to be able to start my temperature blanket.

I am looking forward to… Bible study this week.

I am hearing… my dad watching TV and Daniel playing with Legos. It’s a perfect and calm afternoon, something I desperately need after this past week.

A Daniel story for today… he has a new sentence: “Mama bye!!!” Translation: “Mama, go away. I’m doing something you don’t want me to be doing and I don’t want you thwarting me.” When I left for a games night at a friend’s house last night, he was pushing me out the door and saying “BYE!” Apparently, he prefers my mom putting him to bed even though she is a drill sergeant when she does.

Around the house… paint fumes which will hopefully go away.

A favorite quote for today…

My thoughts on the Starbucks line this morning.

One of my favorite things… Cross-Stitch World on Facebook. It’s soothing.

A few plans for the rest of the week: dealing with various Daniel legal things, trying to get into a doctor up here for a refill on my thyroid meds, Bible study on Thursday morning, and choir on Thursday night.

Post Script…

These two songs have been stuck in my head for the last week.

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.

How I Do My Christmas Cards Every Year

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I was having an email conversation with Laura of Coptic Dad and Mom about various things and we got on the subject of Christmas cards. She was saying that she’d love to have a card tradition and while I was telling her about how I do mine, I realized that this might be a good blog post. I’m not quite as amazing at writing these posts as Kathryn of Team Whitaker is, but I’ll give it a try. 🙂

The Cards: My hand gets crampy when I do a lot of writing (*shakes aching fist at fibromyalgia*) so I mainly stick to photo cards. I normally use Shutterfly because I’ve gotten great deals from them and I can get a chunk of my cards free because of Pampers Rewards points. If I don’t use those points, Shutterfly usually gives codes for sales and stuff that actually knock my purchase price down a bit. They also tend to fill orders pretty quickly. Another good alternative is the Costco Photo Center which has very reasonable prices. Had I not had the Pampers Rewards points, I probably would have gone with them because of the price. With both Costco Photo Center and Shutterfly, you can pick a template, insert photos, and customize your message. This part saves my aching hands from having to sign cards and write all the messages as well as providing the photo that shows your kiddos or your cats off to your family and friends.

If you love to write cards, Moo might be a good option for you. You can personalize the insides to say whatever you want them to say.

Address Labels: I have a BIG Excel file with all my addresses in it which I store on my cloud. It’s useful other times of the year as well when I need an address for a card or a baby shower present or whatever. Avery makes templates that you can download to create your address labels and I generally do that, sticking as close as I can to the design of my card. (Shutterfly offers matching address labels but they’re too pricey for the amount I need.) In order to make the labels, I go into Word and do a mail merge which is not all that hard to do if you know where everything is supposed to go. Thankfully, there’s a wizard that talks you through all of it. Once labels are made, I print them

Postage: It’s a necessary evil. Some post offices have kiosks where you can buy stamps from a machine or make shipping labels for a package. Take full advantage of those as they are usually not busy and the line to get to the counter moves at a glacial pace.

Assembling: Once I have the stamps, the cards, and the labels, I put it together assembly-line style. I aim to do this when Daniel is at school or otherwise occupied. If I have any choice in the matter, I take the whole thing to $tarbux and put on YouTube videos or a movie from Netflix that I have always wanted to see to have something to watch while I work. One indispensable product is an envelope moistener for sealing the envelopes. I got one at Staples two years ago and it was the best $1.25 I have ever spent. Once the envelopes are stuffed, labels attached, and everything has postage, I walk around the corner to the post office and dump them in the bin.

So that’s how I do it. If you want to get cards out and are stuck, email me — I’d be happy to help. I’m jen (at) grace-filled (dot) net.