Category Archives: Cats

7 Quick Takes: Sad News, Grumpy Cats, and Spectacled Bears

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Some very sad news. Henry, a little Ukrainian boy adopted by the Dobrovits family in 2011, passed away yesterday after an infection developed in his back from recent surgery to put VEPTR rods in his back. He may have only lived two years but his adoption was the catalyst for a number of people to become involved with Reece’s Rainbow including the family adopting Brett. I’m so grateful for his parents taking the leap of faith to adopt him because many children have found families because of him. Leila of Orphan Report and Little Catholic Bubble wrote a beautiful piece about all of this. Please keep his family in your prayers and if you can, please go show them some love.

— 2 —

Reminder: iTunes giveaway. I wanted to remind people that the iTunes gift card giveaway is going on until Sunday at 11:59. Just donate and let me know how much — you get one entry per $5 donated. You also get one entry per mention on social media so leave me a comment and let me know that as well.

— 3 —

Rain, rain, rain, and thunder. We got slammed with one storm yesterday and we’ve got one coming in tonight and tomorrow morning that should be hit harder. We’ve got wind advisories and there are areas of northern California that could be getting 14 inches of rain… which is a huge percentage of our yearly rainfall. I usually love rain but this one has been triggering some nasty migraines.

— 4 —

A spectacled bear. Daniel’s glasses arrived last week and we finally got him to wear them full-time this week.

A spectacled bear

I didn’t know he could get any cuter… but he did.

— 5 —

Grumpy cat source. You know the meme with the cat with a sour look on its face? There is actually a site for her called The Original Grumpy Cat. She is a real cat and her human posts the Daily Grump. You can also get Christmas cards with her on them… when her human gets them reprinted for the third or fourth time. (Seriously… they’ve been swamped with orders.)

— 6 —

Daniel’s Advent calendar arrived. I’m trying to create meaningful Advent traditions with Daniel and one that I’ve had since I was old enough to remember was Advent calendars. My mom bought them for us growing up, sent them to me in college, and even sent them after I was married. I’m looking forward to opening the windows with him.

— 7 —

How did I not know about this site???? I just discovered ZooBorns.Com. This is not a good site for me to know about — I’m going to be looking at pictures of baby red pandas all night!

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at ConversionDiary.Com.

7 Quick Takes: Turkey Pardons, iTunes Giveaway, and Thanksgiving for Health

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Ahem… iTunes giveaway to benefit Brett. You see the adorable little boy on my sidebar? His name is Brett and he finally has a mama. To help his mama bring him home, I’m doing an iTunes giveaway to raise some funds. Here are 7 reasons to participate in my iTunes giveaway. I haven’t had any takers yet and I’m getting a little depressed about it.

— 2 —

A prayer request. Huffle Mawson, one of the first cat bloggers I “met”, has passed away. Her humans Tracey and Kendall got a message while on vacation telling them that she was at the vet in liver failure. She passed on the next morning. They are still on vacation and coming home to a really emotionally devastating situation. Her mom, Tracey, was really supportive of me during my pregnancy and my heart is breaking for her right now. Please keep Tracey and Kendall in thoughts and prayers right now.

— 3 —

I finally have my laptop back after 5 days of waiting for a new hard disk and then getting it installed. The church’s data person was able to get all of it back though I’ll be deleting out duplicate files for a good month or so. (My hard disk was that bad.) He also managed to recover all my email and my Firefox bookmarks.

— 4 —

It’s Thanksgiving so here’s the Turkey Pardoning Ceremony from Wednesday. I’m linking this not because I like turkeys or President Obama. I’m linking it because of the Nate Silver joke.

— 5 —

Link-Up Love! Grace at Camp Patton has a Thanksgiving link-up. I haven’t posted mine yet because my clothes are already in the washer on account of the mysterious sweet potato stains up and down my left arm. *looks suspiciously at the sleeping toddler*

— 6 —

LOL Cat in training. After we got back from our walk at 9:30 p.m., we were gathered around my mom’s computer looking at pictures from a family gathering in Washington when my sister-in-law told me that I might have to fight to get my laptop back. I looked behind me and my mom’s grey kitty Homer was curled up next to it. My dad took a picture but I doubt my parents would give it to me if they knew I would possibly make it into a LOL Cat.

— 7 —

Something to be thankful for this year. Last year, my Quick Takes on Thanksgiving were written from the PICU at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose where Daniel was admitted after waking up with a fever of 103F… just as dinner was going on the table. So seriously, I’m thankful for health this year, especially Daniel’s health as it meant that we were all able to have dinner together and not have to worry about him or be thrown up on. (My mom needs to be thanked because she was so nice about that one…)

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at ConversionDiary.Com.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: October 22, 2012

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY October 22, 2012

Outside my window… sunny after the rain and wind earlier. There was also a tornado to the north of us. Did I mention that I live in NORTHERN CALIFORNIA???

I am thinking… that I’m enjoying the quiet in the parsonage (other than the Giants’ game on TV) and the light filtering in through the windows.

I am thankful… that Jon got to St. Louis safely.

In the kitchen… kuchen later this week for the church’s Oktoberfest.

I am wearing… green shirt and black sweats.

I am creating… NaNo plans.

I am going… hopefully nowhere special this week.

I am wondering… why Cullen walks on his clawpoints. He clacks on the wood and linoleum when he walks.

I am reading… A Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

I am hoping… the Giants win tonight.

I am looking forward to… my massage on Friday. (It got postponed due to health issues with my massage therapist.)

Around the house… vacuuming to do.

I am pondering…

A favorite quote for today… ??Nothing you have not given away will ever really be yours.?? ? C.S. Lewis

One of my favorite things… quiet time to do things during Daniel’s nap

A few plans for the rest of the week: coffee with a parishioner tomorrow, Morning Prayer on Wednesday, teaching Bible study on Thursday, and my massage on Friday. Oktoberfest is also Friday but I think we’ll just donate the cost of tickets.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

7 Quick Takes: Twittering Cats and Baseball

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

My Giants are headed to the NLCS! They came back from 2 games under to win the series over the Reds. We’re waiting to find out if they’re playing the Nationals or the Cardinals. I’m also waiting to find out if the A’s made it in as then there would be the possibility of a Bay Bridge Series. If that happens, I’ll be checking my earthquake insurance policy after what happened the last time… The A’s lost to the Tigers so we’ll be waiting to see who the Tiger’s play. I’m kind of glad not to have the A’s playing the Giants in the World Series — less chance of an earthquake.

— 2 —

There was a debate on tonight or something, right? Just kidding. I didn’t watch it. I watched an hour of syndicated Big Bang Theory reruns instead. I think it was probably a better use of my time.

— 3 —

One of the Cathsorority chicas posted a link to a webcam of a giraffe about to have a baby. We’re all watching it and commenting on it. I’m incredibly amused that our group of women who are located in a number of states between the east and west coast are so fascinated with this. Then again, we’re women — we dig birth.

— 4 —

I get to go to a wedding this weekend. One of my good friends from college is finally (!!!) marrying his girlfriend. My parents are going to baby-sit while Jon and I head to San Francisco for it. I’m looking forward to seeing some of my college friends again, some of them for the first time since graduation and others for the first time since my wedding 10 years ago. Tomorrow morning, I need to go shoe-shopping and pick up some nude pantyhose as well as pack up some laundry to do at my parents’ house. (I don’t think it will get done before we have to leave for San Jose.)

— 5 —

It’s finally cold enough here to need the furnace tonight. A week ago, we were in the 90’s. Today, it was in the 70’s and it’s chilly tonight. I’m hoping this is a trend. I hate hot weather. The only thing that would make it better would be rain.

— 6 —

I created a Twitter for my black cat Edda. Why yes, I have no life. Why yes, I have insomnia. I figured a Twitter was easier than remembering to update her blog daily. She is @eddapuss.

— 7 —

I still haven’t figured out Daniel’s Halloween costume yet. Not having a verbal child, his Halloween costume is up to me. I might go to Goodwill and see if I can’t put one together that I like. The last three years have been bear-related so Paddington might be an option.

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at ConversionDiary.Com.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: September 24, 2012

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We’re taking a break from posting on the 47% today to do my Monday meme. Thomas of Listening for the Shepherd and I are chatting via Twitter so there should likely be a post tomorrow.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY September 24, 2012

Outside my window… sunny and in the low 80’s. I cannot wait for actual fall weather to get here.

I am thinking… about how to reform social services.

I am thankful… for Anna’s liver transplant. It took 2 years and 8 months for the transplant to come but it’s still an awesome thing.

In the kitchen… dishes to be done. I did make orzo this weekend though.

I am wearing… navy blue maternity shirt and Jon’s Left Behind shorts.

I am creating… an entry based on my convo with Thomas (eventually).

I am going… pray that Daniel will hold tight until I’m done with this entry.

I am reading… Bossypants by Tina Fey.

I am hoping… tomorrow is quieter than Tuesdays usually are around here.

I am looking forward to… the NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles season premieres tomorrow night.

I am learning how hard it can be to type with a house panther on one’s wrists. (Yes Edda, I’m talking to you.)

Around the house… vacuuming to do among other things.

I am pondering… the feeling of claws in my flesh. (Edda, please let go of my stomach. Mommy doesn’t like it when you draw blood.)

A favorite quote for today… ??Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.?? — C.S. Lewis

One of my favorite things… house panthers. (Edda totally told me to say that.)

A few plans for the rest of the week: Morning Prayer, season premieres on CBS, PECS training for Daniel, massage on Friday, and Run for Courage on Saturday.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

7 Quick Takes: Haircuts and the Run for Courage

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

I’m taking part in the Run for Courage on September 29th. I had been hearing about it from Daniel’s former physical therapist and I decided to do the 5K and walk it. I’ve been a supporter of International Justice Mission for years and this deals with restoring and healing girls who have been trafficked for sex, including in the USA. My donation URL is: http://engage.runforcourage.org/goto/khouriajen. My fundraising goal is $200 and I’ve raised $90 thus far. Please share my fundraising URL and let people know about this.

— 2 —

To those who don’t like my Obama button: suck it up! I’m not commenting on your site and telling you what I think about your decision to back Romney — I might disagree with you but you have a right to vote for the candidate of your choosing and to post whatever political buttons you want on your blog. Kindly show me the same respect. Also, your comment isn’t going to show if I haven’t approved a comment of yours before so please stop leaving me variations on the same comment until I approve your comment. If 24 hours have gone by and I haven’t approved your comment, assume that I might not have seen it yet. (I do have a three year old and a life.) If 48-72 hours go by and it isn’t up, you can safely assume that I think you are a raving lunatic and you have no snowball’s chance of having your comment(s) approved. If your comment is a diatribe longer than the actual post on which you are commenting, your comment will be deleted.

— 3 —

Daniel is back in his class from last year and all is well. His old teacher and aides are happy to have him back and he knew *EXACTLY* where he was on Wednesday when he came back to school after his 4-day weekend. He belly-laughed for his teacher for the first time today and it was so awesome for her to hear. I’m glad the temper tantrum I threw fuss I raised last week was worth it. They’re going to start him working with a PECS board and train us on it next week.

— 4 —

The TV sitch was better during the DNC this week. Instead of not showing things on the schedule, CBS just moved them by an hour (i.e. NCIS was on at 8 instead of 7). Well played, CBS. Thankfully, I got the syndicated episodes of The Big Bang Theory at 7 p.m. so I had something to watch instead of just Judge Judy. Boo yah!

— 5 —

I’m pleased with how my hair turned out. It ended up chin-length instead of just at my shoulders but it still looks good.

Me asleep with Edda

— 6 —

Still editing devotions. I’m effectively done with Luke for the moment. I have what is looking like 4-5 to write on my own for Luke (replacing someone who couldn’t finish theirs) and whatever Jon can’t finish of his list. I’ll start formatting Acts once I get my passel of devotions done.

— 7 —

You see that cute little boy over on my sidebar? He needs a mama. Mind praying that we can find one, donating toward his grant, or even considering adopting him? He’s cute and I’m not just saying that because I’m his Guardian Angel. 🙂

— Bonus —

Kara posted a picture of Wren on her Quick Takes. Ten year olds should not look like that — she’s being abused and needs out of wherever she is NOW. There’s no donate link on her page but could y’all pray that we can get her out of that situation or even consider adopting her?

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at ConversionDiary.Com.

I Might Be A Geek…

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I was surfing the Quick Takes on ConversionDiary.Com and one set from Angie of Many Little Blessings mentions the question of whether the city of Constantinople is still called “Constantinople”.

The first thing in my head was…

(wait for it)

OMG THE “THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS” SONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I frantically searched through my iTunes and discovered that it had gotten deleted somehow so I *IMMEDIATELY* went to iTunes and downloaded it. Then I proceeded to sing along with it TWICE while swing-dancing with Finian (my excessively fluffy cat who did NOT approve of this foolishness) and then with Daniel (who enjoyed it immensely). We had to pause “Winnie the Pooh” for all this.

(And yes, Finian is irritated and not speaking to me at the moment. He also still hasn’t forgiven me for the “Zoot Suit Riot” Incident of 2003.)

**UPDATE** I realized there are people who might not have *gasp* heard of either song. So….