Category Archives: Gold Country Life

7 Quick Takes — Season Finales, It’s Too Darn Hot, and Promise Walk Highlights

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Oh. Em. Gee. CSI season finale!!! I so do NOT approve of it being a cliffhanger! I will be grumping about this until September. What oh what will I do on Wednesday nights?!?!?!?!?!? (Answer: He-Man reruns and Netflix probably.) It was good to find out what had happened between Finn and Russell and to find out that it was something innocuous and not that they had been involved romantically in an adulterous fashion.

— 2 —

Hart of Dixie was good this week. This show is my guilty pleasure. (I usually watch forensic shows or stuff like The Big Bang Theory.) I loved the scene where Lemon gets her head stuck in the bed frame. It was an interesting message this week in that we see that Zoe’s presence in Bluebell does make a difference. I think it’s applicable to us in that what we do has repercussions and we have the blessing/curse of impacting other peoples’ lives.

— 3 —

I totally loved Abby’s outfit on NCIS this week. I really wish I’d known what had been planned for the bachelor party by Abby because that so did NOT end up happening! I also wonder if there’s anyone else who finds Dr. Samantha Ryan (Jamie Lee Curtis) to have undertones of naughtiness. She evokes a feeling kind of like a few of the characters in an Austin Powers movie.

— 4 —

The wedding on The Big Bang Theory was awesome. I love that all the members of the group of friends were ordained so they all performed the marriage ceremony. I wonder if anything will happen with Penny and Leonard next season…

— 5 —

It has been in the 90’s for the past few days here in Gold Country. Have I mentioned that I hate heat? It’s awful regardless of whether or not it’s a dry heat. Additionally, it’s allergy season so all of us in the house are miserable and I’ve had to find something to work for Daniel. The only good thing is that the heat has tired him out and he’s usually gone down for a decent nap. He only got a 20 minute nap today because he fell asleep while we were running errands and I couldn’t get him back down. Enter in wailing and gnashing teeth on Daniel’s part. We just got him back down. I’m hoping that he was just overtired and that he doesn’t have an ear infection — it would be really hard to diagnose and I’m not sure when I could get him into the doctor tomorrow as we have his IEP in the afternoon.

— 6 —

I’d still love to hear from any parents of special needs kids on their experiences getting services for their kids as well as adventures in raising them. I’m the Guardian Angel for an adorable little boy through Reece’s Rainbow and I’m doing a series on this on my blog dedicated to getting Brett adopted. Please let me know if you’re interested.

— 7 —

The Promise Walk was awesome. I erroneously thought it was Saturday and showed up at Lake Vasona to find nobody there. Go me. I went back on Sunday (without Jon who had to head back up to Gold Country to lead worship) and had a great time. My parents participated too and Mom and I did the three mile walk with Daniel. (My dad bailed out at some unknown distance so we don’t know how far he walked — only that he cheated. :p) It wasn’t as many people as last year but it was still fun. Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital was one of the sponsors and when I told them that I had been in their NICU about 32 years ago (when it was just Stanford Children’s Hospital), they took pictures. I’m guessing they don’t see many of their alumni that often? 🙂 I personally raised about $600 (will have the exact number this weekend) so I’m pretty jazzed.

For more Quick Takes, visit Hallie at BettyBeguiles.Com who is hosting this week while Jen takes some time off. Please keep Jen in your prayers — she witnessed a horrific motorcycle accident and is trying to process all the emotions and images in her brain.

The Simple Woman: May 9, 2012

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY May 9, 2012

Outside my window… it’s in the 90’s… which is, like, 10-15 degrees hotter than it should be. I hate heat. *grumps*

I am thinking… that people who don’t vote have no business complaining about the way things are.

I am thankful… that Daniel gets tired enough at school to nap.

In the kitchen… looking through the cupboard for my dinner. If I can’t find anything, I’ll do quesadillas.

I am wearing… blue maternity shirt and plaid boxer shorts.

I am creating… this entry among other things.

I am going… to mail in my absentee ballot tomorrow. (We got them today.)

I am wondering… how some of the people on the ballot think they’re going to win.

I am reading… still Style, Sex, and Substance ed. by Hallie Lord. I did read two murder mysteries over the weekend — The Gingerbread Bump-Off by Livia J. Washburn and Marriage is Murder by Nancy Pickard.

I am hoping… my neck stops spasming and the pain goes away. (My neck is the main reason why this entry is two days late.)

Around the house… still relatively clean but there are serious dishes needing to be done.

One of my favorite things… air conditioning. Enough said.

A few plans for the rest of the week: possibly Bible study tomorrow morning and possibly a vet appointment or two for my cats.

A peek into my day… Daniel helping with laundry two weeks ago. He’s so helpful.

Daniel helping with laundry

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: April 30, 2012

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY April 30, 2012

Outside my window… sunny and warm — probably in the 80’s. I hate heat so I’m inside.

I am thinking… that I’d really do better in the Pacific Northwest climate-wise.

I am thankful… that Daniel is taking a nap right now and that he has adjusted to school.

In the kitchen… ummm… it’s clean?

I am wearing… grey maternity shirt and navy blue running shorts.

I am creating… this entry and plans for a personal blogathon to raise money for my Reece’s Rainbow kid.

I am going… to have to shave my legs before too long — it’s shorts weather.

I am wondering… why I have a headache other than the fact that I was up waaaaaay past my bedtime last night.

I am reading… Style, Sex, and Substance ed. by Hallie Lord.

I am hoping… things cool down around here. It seems wrong that it’s in the 80’s at the end of April in Sacramento.

I am looking forward to… Ladies’ Night Out on Wednesday.

Around the house… it’s clean thanks to my parents coming up and the need to clean for them.

One of my favorite things… quiet.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Ladies’ Night Out, heading to San Jose on Friday, and the Promise Walk for Preeclampsia on Saturday.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

7 Quick Takes: Cute Little Boys, Fundraising Pleas, and Human Rights Petitions

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7 Quick Takes

Spring has come to Sacramento which means the air conditioner is turned on again. Whee!

— 1 —

Is there anything better than eating Cheerios and watching Winnie the Pooh with a cute little boy on your lap? I think not!

Just hanging out.

(The little boy fell asleep shortly after this picture was taken. He loves to nap on someone’s lap.)

— 2 —

Daniel is fully adjusted to preschool. We had an hour of tears on Monday, maybe a minute of them on Tuesday, and smooth-sailing the last two days. He likes his teacher and aides and they are positively smitten with him. I’m so thankful that the local public school campus where they house the state preschool classes is only a block away and that the teacher for the autism class does it because she loves the kids. Next Friday, he gets to go to the local zoo with his class and I’m excited for him to experience his first field trip.

— 3 —

There are no words to adequately express my horror and disgust at this. In a nutshell, the dictator of Uzbekistan has ordered the forced hysterectomy of women without their knowledge or consent. Please join with me in signing the petition to Secretary of State Clinton to cut off U.S. funding from this monster.

— 4 —

My mom sent me an interesting article about an autism study conducted by the University of Washington. Apparently, there are differences in white brain matter present in kids with autism. This actually isn’t a surprise because we know that Daniel’s MRI last year showed some white matter abnormalities. I’m not taking this as a “surefire” sign that predicted Daniel’s autism but it is an interesting idea.

— 5 —

Anyone else excited for the crossover between Hawaii Five-0 and NCIS: Los Angeles? I’d prefer one with just the NCIS shows but I’ll take this one. I’m probably not going to be able to watch Hawaii Five-0 on Monday night as it conflicts with Hart of Dixie so I’ll just catch it online while Daniel is at preschool that Tuesday.

— 6 —

I have a blog set up for Brett. I would blog for him here but I have to use my last name to do that and I keep that off this site because it’s incredibly searchable. I also wanted a site where I could add his adoptive parents as bloggers if they so chose. Peacefulwaters.Org is the domain I use for various projects so it fit that I move a blog over there. I’m having a really bad time with the WordPress on it and I think I’ve re-installed it three or four times. Argh.

— 7 —

I have two weeks until the Promise Walk for Preeclampsia.

Support me in the Promise Walk for Preeclampsia

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: April 16, 2012

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window… it was sunny but now seems cloudy.

I am thinking… about where my printer cables are so I can print out my tax extension form.

I am thankful… Daniel is adjusting to preschool slowly but surely. He only cried for an hour today which is a huge improvement.

In the kitchen… some Bertolli soup for dinner, I think.

I am wearing… forest green v-neck shirt and capri sweats.

I am creating… tax files and this entry.

I am going… to hopefully find printer cables and stuff tomorrow so I can print out my extension form.

I am wondering… where they are.

I am reading… Style, Sex, and Substance: 10 Catholic Women Consider the Things that Really Matter by Hallie Lord.

I am hoping… I hear back from Reece’s Rainbow about being a Guardian Angel tomorrow.

I am looking forward to… the quiet of weekday mornings while Daniel is at preschool.

I am pondering… assorted things in my heart.

A favorite quote for today… ??I think we all sin by needlessly disobeying the apostolic injunction to “rejoice” as much as by anything else.” — C.S. Lewis

One of my favorite things… Crystal Light peach tea.

A few plans for the rest of the week: probably errands, taxes, and a massage on Friday.

A peek into my day… Daniel and I at Miwok Park at his last physical therapy session

Daniel and I at Miwok Park for physical therapy

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

7 Quick Takes — Starting Preschool, Rescue Panthers, and Preeclampsia Studies

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7 Quick Takes

I missed having Quick Takes last week. I didn’t necessarily need more writing to do (still continued my Lenten discipline) but I missed the community and being able to empty my brain this way.

— 1 —

Daniel started preschool on Wednesday. The preschools in our elementary school district are housed at the school a block away from the parsonage and they have an ABA class which is where Daniel was put. (The IEP was 2 1/2 weeks ago.) Putting it mildly, Daniel did not approve and spent most of the day crying. It wasn’t a crying jag about being separated from Jon and I — it was all about people not letting him do what he wanted to do. My words to his teacher: he can like it or lump it. She laughed and her aides laughed when she told them my response. Here’s hoping that next week goes better.

— 2 —

Things not to say to me: “What are you going to do with yourself now that Daniel is in preschool? Seriously, I now have 4 1/2 hours free in my day. I have decluttering projects up the freaking wazoo on my plate as well as some posts I promised for people. Yeah… I think I have things to do. I will admit that Wednesday morning, I just sat in my recliner with my laptop and enjoyed the quiet. Today, I collapsed in the recliner and took a nap until UPS and the home health care people pounded on the door to wake me up.

— 3 —

Daniel seems to have no ill effects from his seizure on Friday. This confirms the ER doctors and residents’ suspicions that it was a simple febrile seizure. I also learned that he flips out less on the gurney in the ER bay if I lie down with him and hold him. He slept in my lap there for most of Friday evening after we got to the ER and I got some reading done during that time. Thank God (and the family friend who bought it for me) for Popadija (my NOOK)!

— 4 —

Yes, I do name my electronic items. My current laptop is “Presbytera”, my former laptops were “Khouria” and “Pristina” (a spelling error for “Prifteresha” so I might use that name again), my NOOK is “Popadija”, and my iPod is “Panimatushka”. What are these names, you ask? They are Orthodox Christian titles for the priest’s wife. While I’m not Orthodox, I am a pastor’s wife and I decided that I needed a title which is why “khouria” figures into my Twitter ID because people usually have no idea how to refer to me. (My pat answer: “I go by Jen.”)

— 5 —

I finished my latest murder mystery (Burried in Buttercream by G.A. McKevett — go read it) and am now reading Sex, Style, and Substance. I got through the introduction and am about to read Jennifer Fulwiler’s chapter. Even having read as little of the book as I have, I can honestly say that it is seriously made of win. I might be reading it on Friday morning while Daniel is in preschool. (I’d read it sooner but I have some writing projects to plan out if not finish.)

— 6 —

My “rescue panther” would like me to post this video. She has vowed to sit on my lap and block my access to the keyboard of my laptop unless I post the Geico video involving the couple who adopted a “rescue panther” to take care of their home security needs.

— 7 —

There is a study out on the effects of preeclampsia on the brain. Wow… so I’m not just at a loss for words because I’m so sleep-deprived? Huh. In all seriousness, it’s something that frustrates me because I write so much and it’s maddening to have a word or idea in my brain but not to be able to express it. Let’s fund some more studies on preeclampsia and its long term effects. Sponsor me in the Promise Walk to help fund studies like this.

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

How to Get Ready for Preschool

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Daniel starts preschool tomorrow (OK… technically today because it’s 1:30 a.m.) and at 12:50 a.m., it occurred to me that I should probably get some things ready so that I’m not in a huge rush tomorrow. So… here’s my process for getting Daniel ready for preschool:

12:50 – Decide that you should probably prep some things ahead of time. Remove the comforter and peel yourself out of the recliner. Walk across the living room that is covered with Cheerios. (I didn’t get a chance to vacuum today. Stop judging me!) Step over the baby gate into the kitchen and switch on the light. Catch a picture of yourself in the microwave and realize that your eyes are mostly closed. Realize that you are also hungry so get Lean Cuisine meal out of the fridge.

12:55 – Wash out sippy cup using zip ties to poke the congealed formula out of the crevices. Make sure that sucker is CLEAN. Dry sippy cup and latex plug for it. Fill with properly-sourced apple juice from Trader Joe’s. Take a swig of juice while you’re at it.

12:57 – Remove a tortilla and pub cheese (think spreadable cheese that is two steps up from Velveeta) from the fridge. Use butter knife to spread cheese over tortilla. Roll as tightly as possible and cut into thin slices. Eat reject slices and put majority of roll-up in snack bag. Take a handful of Cheerios and put in another snack bag. Ponder investing in another kind of Cheerios for variety’s sake. Obsess about the fact that your kid probably will not sit down for any period of time to eat. Freak out about this. Remind yourself that these teachers are used to this and getting paid for it.

1:02 – Realize that you have not microwaved your midnight snack (which is actually dinner). Remove meal from box and stick in microwave for some ungodly amount of time. Remember that you need to supply diapers and wipes.

1:10 – Find alternate clothes that are not too holey (thank you broken dryer!) and label with initials. Label lunchbox, diapers, and wipes with name.

1:15 – Finally get dinner out of the microwave. Be thankful that it has cooled sufficiently so that it can rest on laptop while eating. Climb back over baby gate and settle in recliner. Remind the pair of glowing eyes nuzzling your left hand that rescue panthers don’t eat Lean Cuisine meals.

1:20 – Take plastic dish back to kitchen and toss it. Feel pangs of guilt for not recycling it. Decide that it’s too late to really care about the environment and that we’re all screwed anyway. Settle back into recliner. See a figure moving toward you. Point your laptop toward it and discover that it is the sissy tabby. Watch Mr. Tabbykins shrink away to cower on the couch. Feel guilty that the big orange lump is spooked.

1:24 – Type this entry with your eyes closed. Proofread later.

He has already seen his classroom and met his teacher today while I was trying to drop off paperwork at the school. I’m glad he got to meet his teacher — it might make things easier tomorrow. She is made of awesomeness and wasn’t fazed at all by Daniel running around and opening/closing things. She also has promised to call several times a day with updates on him during this week. I am blessed.