Category Archives: Gold Country Life

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: January 7, 2013

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY January 7, 2013

Outside my window… dark. It’s almost 2 a.m.

I am thinking… that the antibiotics might be working — I’m not in half as much pain as I’ve been in this week. (Stupid cat bite infection!)

I am thankful… for my awesome LCMS PA who saw me on Friday and gave me antibiotics. Apparently, all the stuff I was dealing with in December was in my chart or the providers talk amongst themselves because she knew all about Daniel’s illness last month. It was nice that she asked.

In the kitchen… dishes to do.

I am wearing… blue shirt and black sweat capris.

I am creating… squares for an afghan when my hand isn’t throbbing.

I am going… to hope I can get to sleep tonight.

I am wondering… about the true use of the word “engage” in theological practice and discussion.

I am reading… A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans — re-reading it after my long drive back from southern California. I tried reading Montana by Debbie Macomber and threw it in the back seat after 30 pages because it was crap. I lived in Montana for 4 1/2 years and I can’t say that I knew of any militias while I lived here, especially in Sweetgrass proper or the Sweet Grass Hills. I used to *work* in Sweetgrass — there’s nothing up there except a bunch of import brokerages, ICE, and Border Patrol. It would be the stupidest place to have a militia with that much government around.

I am hoping… that my citrus-colored tabby decides to come and hang out with me after I get this done.

I am looking forward to… NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles on Tuesday as well as Ladies’ Night Out on Wednesday.

I am learning patience and self-care. (I’m craptastic at both.)

Around the house… toys and Christmas stuff.

I am pondering… way too many things which is why I’m up blogging.

A favorite quote for today… ??Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of – throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.??
— C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

One of my favorite things… a half steak/half chicken burrito bowl from Chipotle

A few plans for the rest of the week: home with Daniel today (tomorrow), Morning Prayer on Tuesday, Ladies’ Night Out on Wednesday, and copy-editing the rest of the week while the bear child is at school or sleeping.

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7 Quick Takes: Russian Adoption Issues, Apocalyptic Rainstorms, and Classless Individuals

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

This little girl needs your help. Her name is Kaia and she needs a mama. Is there a chance you might be her mama? Click on her picture to go to her profile.

Miss Kaia

— 2 —

Please help if you can. The Wade family got special permission from a Russian judge to come back and get Ivan ASAP but they need to raise the funds to do it. If you can spare any money at all, it would help immensely — I know that my donations have been in $5 and $10 increments.

— 3 —

The state of the bear. Daniel has recovered from the excitement of last week (febrile seizure, high fevers for two nights, Urgent Care appointment…) though it meant that he was extra cuddly this last weekend. I didn’t make it to church on Sunday because of him nor did I make it to Christmas worship because he and Edda were both asleep on my lap. The Christmas morning snuggle was wonderful because I could just watch TV and enjoy the quiet. We’re with my parents right now and he has all his normal energy back so he has been running around, opening and closing doors, and being silly. Currently, the little bear is eating Cheerios in the booster seat next to me which is why I’m getting these done. 🙂

— 4 —

Mmmmmm! My mom made these cookies and added dried cherries. They are totally wonderful and quite addictive. I might have to make them for church one of these days.

— 5 —

Need an ark, please. We were wondering if church was going to be cancelled last Sunday (the 23rd) because we were having serious rain with wind. The same thing happened on Christmas Day — serious rain with lots of wind. Apparently, I missed the newscast where the Christmas rain was in the forecast because it was a nasty surprise when I was having to head to the laundry shed to get clothes to fold. It followed us to San Jose and was around yesterday, which made it hard for Daniel (wanted to go OUTSIDE and run around) and me (needed to go for a walk to stretch out my back). It was clear today and chilly for everyone except for Jon and me. Apparently living in Montana and Minnesota toughened me up to cold because all the other moms on the playground were in parkas and I was pushing Daniel on the swings in just a long-sleeved shirt.

— 6 —

Pottymouths. Jon and my dad are watching The Big Lebowski and it seems like every other word is an f-bomb. Seriously guys? Is it necessary to the plot of the movie? This is probably why I rarely see movies ever, either on TV or in the theater.

— 7 —

Parenting fails. On Monday, I was at Les Schwab (a tire shop) getting an alignment done and a mother and son came in. The woman grunted at her son to move the coffeetable in the waiting area and put her feet (which were in really disgusting-looking Crocs) up on it when he moved it. I was sitting there looking at her with complete revulsion and shock. Really, wench? Do you think this is your living room at home? Are we conveniently ignoring basic rules for how to act in public? It got better after she chastised her son for using the word “sucks” because it “wasn’t classy”. I would probably have said something (and my Twitter peeps heard ALL about it) except that her tattoos were a bit menacing (thanks to all the prison shows I watch, I know what some of them mean) and my self-preservation kicked in to keep me from opening my mouth. But seriously… epic parenting FAIL!

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: December 24, 2012

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY December 24, 2012

Outside my window… sunny after a few days of apocalyptic rainstorms beating down.

I am thinking… that I really should clean the kitchen and pack but I’m so tired!

I am thankful… that Daniel’s illness didn’t result in a hospital admission.

In the kitchen… dishes to be done.

I am wearing… burgundy shirt and jeans.

I am creating… crocheted squares and snowflakes.

I am going… to try and get everything done tonight before I go to bed.

I am wondering… if Daniel is planning to nap.

I am reading… A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans.

I am hoping… everything gets done.

I am looking forward to… getting out of Dodge for a few days.

Around the house… *ignores the question*

I am pondering… everything I have to get done.

A favorite quote for today… ??The only things we can keep are the things we freely give to God. What we try to keep for ourselves is just what we are sure to lose.?? ? C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

One of my favorite things… the quiet when Daniel naps.

A few plans for the rest of the week: cleaning and packing today, worship and heading to be with family tomorrow.

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7 Quick Takes: Things I Wish I Had Crossed Off My Bucket List Before the Mayan Apocalypse

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7 Quick Takes

We pretty much know already that the world isn’t ending tomorrow as New Zealand and Australia are OK. However, I’m doing these tongue-in-cheek Quick Takes anyway as a way of getting my mind off of Daniel who ended up in the pediatric ER at UCD Medical Center last night with a febrile seizure. From what we can tell, it’s the flu. I’m vaccinated against it but he isn’t. (I’m not anti-vax by any stretch of the imagination — I just completely dropped the ball this year.)

— 1 —

Finding Kaia a mommy. See this cute little girl? She needs a mama.

Miss Kaia

Click on her picture to be taken over to her profile on Reece’s Rainbow. If you’re in the mood to do some charitable giving this Christmas, her adoption grant would be a lovely cause.

— 2 —

Getting certified to scuba-dive. My evil twin and his fiancée are PADI-certified and it’s been on “my list” forever. My college’s chapter of Intervarsity used to have our Chapter Retreats on Catalina Island and one of the things I loved doing was snorkeling. I’d like to actually be able to dive under the water someday.

— 3 —

See Loreena McKennitt live in concert again. I saw her in concert in 1994 and again in 2007. At the concert in 2007, I actually *met* her, got a hug from her, and got her autograph. She’s toured in Europe and eastern Canada so I’m hoping 2013 is going to be a U.S. tour year as she put out a new album two years ago.

— 4 —

Have Daniel develop speech. I fully believe this will happen someday — it just hasn’t happened yet. He’s great with his PECS book and we’ve got some sign language worked out. Still, it would be wonderful if he could learn to speak. It would definitely make my life easier.

— 5 —

Go on all the cool rides at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. I actually went to college in Santa Cruz and only went to the Boardwalk once during that time, something I’ve regretted for a long time because I love amusement park rides. Daniel is too young for most of the rides (and too short) so I may have a while to wait for this one.

— 6 —

Sing Bach’s Mass in B minor with a choir. I’m a huge fan of Bach and this is an amazing work of art. It’s complex enough to challenge me and it’s the reason why it’s my bucket list piece. (I started singing Handel’s Messiah when I was 15 though performing the work in its entirety is also on the list.)

— 7 —

Publish a novel started during NaNoWriMo. Granted, the years I’ve “won” by getting 50,000 words written during that month were years when I needed to kill people off to vent some anger but it would be kind of cool to actually “win” again and turn what I write into a novel that I can sell to a publisher.

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at ConversionDiary.Com. In the meantime, enjoy the tsunamis, earthquakes, and fire falling from the sky!

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: December 10, 2012

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY December 10, 2012

Outside my window… dark. It was decent today though I was indoors for most of it being sick and taking care of a sick bear.

I am thinking… nasal congestion is the pits.

I am thankful… Jon stayed home today so I could sleep.

In the kitchen… apples and peanut butter.

I am wearing… white v-neck and plaid shorts. (I’m doing laundry, OK?)

I am creating… snowflakes and Christmas shopping.

I am going… to try and take care of errands tomorrow.

I am wondering… if I will ever be able to eat normally again.

I am reading… A Year of Biblical Womanhood: How a Liberated Woman Found Herself Sitting on Her Roof, Covering Her Head, and Calling Her Husband “Master” by Rachel Held Evans.

I am hoping… my face decongests.

I am looking forward to… working on stockings tonight.

I am learning that I can actually read crochet patterns.

Around the house… *sticks fingers in ears* I can’t hear youuuuuuu!!!!

A favorite quote for today… ??Atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning…?? ? C.S. Lewis

One of my favorite things… Coke — it’s so bad for me but it’s my comfort substance.

A few plans for the rest of the week: finishing stockings, WIC tomorrow, and hopefully not much else.

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The Simple Woman’s Daybook: December 4, 2012

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY December 4th, 2012

Outside my window… dark. It’s just past midnight here.

I am thinking… about what I need to get done tomorrow. It totally makes sense that I’m up crocheting and blogging, right?

I am thankful… that I finished ornaments yesterday. I just need to starch them tomorrow. Also, I’m immensely thankful that Brett’s parents prevailed when court was held yesterday and he is now officially theirs.

In the kitchen… dishes to do.

I am wearing… Old Navy shirt and fleece pajama bottoms.

I am creating… stockings for two adorable kids.

I am going… nowhere if I can help it.

I am wondering… which kid to take on as a Guardian Angel once Brett is home. Possibly Kaia?

I am reading… A Year of Biblical Womanhood: How a Liberated Woman Found Herself Sitting on Her Roof, Covering Her Head, and Calling Her Husband “Master” by Rachel Held Evans. I’ve gotten through the introduction and first chapter and I’m loving it.

I am hoping… tomorrow goes well.

I am learning how to starch my snowflakes.

Around the house… *places fingers in ears* I can’t hear you!!!!

I am pondering… too many things to list.

A favorite quote for today… ??The first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb, when it comes, find us doing sensible and human things — praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts — not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs.?? ? C.S. Lewis

One of my favorite things… simple double crochet.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Ladies’ Night Out on Wednesday.

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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.