Category Archives: Gold Country Life

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: July 25, 2011

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY July 25, 2011

Outside my window… sunny and warm. According to Weatherbug, it’s in the 80’s.

I am thinking… about cookie baking for Metanoia’s booth at the Farmer’s Market in a few weeks.

I am thankful… for Daniel’s various therapists.

From the learning rooms… the sign for “more”, body parts, and walking while only holding on to one finger.

In the kitchen… pasta salad made from a Trader Joe’s recipe.

I am wearing… olive-colored t-shirt and sweats.

I am creating… entries for Michelle and a podcast episode.

I am going… to be with my parents this weekend.

I am wondering… how Daniel’s child development person and especially his physical therapist have so much energy. His physical therapist is amazing in that regard.

I am reading… the Dearest Dorothy books by Charlene Ann Baumbich and wishing that she would write more in that series! A.J. Jacobs will have my attention again soon.

I am hoping… Daniel goes down for a good nap after therapy today.

I am looking forward to… the weekend with my parents.

I am hearing… Daniel’s child development person working with him. (Thank God for Easter Seals and that they make home visits.)

Around the house… testing out the Mint floor cleaner that my mother-in-law gave us.

I am pondering… a number of things.

One of my favorite things… Daniel lying on my tummy with his head on his arms staring at me and smiling.

A few plans for the rest of the week… Speech and PT for Daniel tomorrow, nutritionist appointment on Wednesday, and road trip to San Jose (all 2 hours of it) on Friday.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing… Daniel asleep on the hardwood floor after his physical therapist tired him out last week. Being the wonderful mother I am, I took a picture before I took his sandals off and stuck him on a blanket.

Daniel asleep on the hardwood floor

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7 Quick Takes: Driving Rules That I Wish People Followed

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7 Quick Takes

I’ve been back in California for a year and a half and I’m not sure who is worse: L.A. drivers or Sacramento drivers. There do seem to be some universal rules, however, that both break.

–1–

Use your freaking turn signal before changing lanes. I can’t read your mind and believe me, there’s going to be a whole lot going through it (like shards of glass and metal) if you decide randomly to change lanes in front of me and don’t signal first.

–2–

Put your *expletive* cell phone down. I wish I had the power to ticket people on the CHP’s behalf because if I did, California wouldn’t have a budget problem. You can’t steer one-handed, as is evidenced by the fact that you’re swerving everywhere. Yes, the people on your left and right are giving you the finger. I would too if I didn’t have my two year old in the car with me.

–3–

The parking lot is not your personal autobahn. Yes, I see you have a bright red Mini Cooper with the top down. Judging from your looks, it’s a mid-life crisis car. Trust me sweetie, you don’t look young and hip taking the lanes of parking lots at 60 mph. In fact, you look pretty stupid and the dirty looks you’re getting are from the people who you almost T-boned and the parents of the kids you almost ran over.

–4–

The car pool lane is for vehicles with 2+ people (or on some L.A. freeways, 3+). It isn’t for you driving solo in your Hummer, especially during rush hour. I will laugh like a hyena when that motorcycle cop behind you pulls you over because of your inability to count.

–5–

Your Chevy Suburban is not a compact car. That parking spot says COMPACT in big letters. That would be my car (Dodge Stratus) and other cars that size. I really don’t appreciate having to climb out the passenger side or having to pray that you don’t hit me while trying to maneuver your behemoth around. I’m sorry that you have to walk an extra 20 feet. Suck it up.

–6–

Honking your horn at me at a red light is not going to make me move. I’m perfectly aware that I can legally make a right turn on a red light. However, it is not safe to do so. Once it is safe, I will proceed into the intersection but not before that point in time. All honking does is make you look moronic to other drivers.

–7–

Flying around me at a stop sign (because you don’t want to stop) is really not a good idea. I’m sorry that I’m following the rules and that you in your black Porsche Boxster have a problem with that. However, it would be a real tragedy if someone T-boned you because you failed to stop. Driving like that is also likely to cause you to roll your Porsche (especially in the rain) and I really don’t think that’s going to end well, given the lack of space between you and the roof. Spinal cord injuries are no fun and I’m sure your insurance company is going to LOVE paying for your stupidity.

(For more quick takes, go see Jen at ConversionDiary.Com.)

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: July 11, 2011

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY July 11, 2011

Outside my window… cooler than it’s been. I think it was in the low 80’s today. It beats 105 any day!

I am thinking… about what I have left on my Daniel list this week. Today was multiple doctor’s appointments.

I am thankful… that the resident Daniel saw today for his well-child check-up was one of the ones who was in the PICU with us. She was overjoyed to see him healthy, having seen him the night when he was almost put on ECMO. I like her and asked for her to be the one with whom Daniel will follow up next month.

From the learning rooms… baby sign language. Daniel knows the sign for “more” — he just doesn’t want to do it. He’ll make the sign with my fingers instead.

In the kitchen… nothing super complicated.

I am wearing… light blue v-neck shit from Lady Foot Locker and sweats.

I am creating… entries for Michelle.

I am going… to Sacramento for Daniel’s speech therapy tomorrow, to WIC on Wednesday, and out with my church ladies on Wednesday night.

I am wondering… why drivers on Highway 99 are so stupid.

I am reading… The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs.

I am hoping… WIC isn’t too awful and that wherever it is can handle Daniel in a stroller.

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

I am hearing… the fan in the bedroom and Qubo on TV in the living room.

Around the house… still relatively clean.

I am pondering… too many things to list at the moment.

One of my favorite things… my massage last Wednesday. I needed it. BADLY.

A few plans for the rest of the week… speech tomorrow, WIC and Ladies’ Night Out on Wednesday, and nothing the rest of the week God-willing.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing… Daniel playing pattycake with my mom.

Daniel and Grandma playing pattycake.

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7 Quick Takes: Admissions That Will Make Me Lose Readers

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7 Quick Takes

I’ve been pondering the idea of doing this for awhile. Here are seven admissions that will probably cause me to lose readers. None of these are open to debate — they’re things that are part of me or decisions I’ve made after careful consideration and consultation with professionals.

–1–

I take birth control pills. I can see the Catholic readers from Jen’s site fleeing as well as some of my readers who are staunchly anti-contraception. Before people start lecturing me on the state of my soul, I should probably explain a few things. Firstly, I mainly take them because my PMS is so severe that it can land me in bed during that week. After Daniel’s birth, I also started having hot flashes and dizzy spells. The pills moderate out my hormones so that I can be functional. Secondly, me pregnant is *NOT* a good thing. I would be on bed rest for 9 months and that’s not a viable option at the moment with Daniel needing so much of my time and care. I’m married to someone who works insane hours so I’m pretty much it as far as the person who can take care of him, arrange his therapies, and verbally abuse argue with insurance/SSA/Medicaid. Lastly, having a huge family is not a good choice for me with the fibromyalgia — the fatigue and pain make keeping up with Daniel hard enough. I know the risks of being on the Pill and with my (thoroughly Catholic) doctor’s help in Montana, we found one that had the fewest side effects for me. I also go in for my exams like clockwork so I’m at least being monitored.

–2–

I would rather pull my fingernails AND toenails out with pliers than vote for any current Republican candidate. The idea of Sarah Palin as president makes me want to repatriate myself to another country… like maybe Afghanistan. Michelle Bachmann is just as scary. None of the others are any better and because I live in California, I live in fear of almost putting the state up on eBay (Meg Whitman) or selling it to HP (Carly Fiorina). The only positive for the loser who represents my district in Congress (Dan Lungren) is that he’s put forth a bill to make it a felony to shine a laser at a plane.

–3–

I honestly want to vomit or throw something at the TV whenever John Boehner or Mitch McConnell (especially him) come on. Maybe it’s just me but I think that it’s positively ludicrous to have two white men who are independently wealthy and will have fat government pensions upon leaving Congress decide my healthcare needs and how important Medicare/Social Security are. I’m seriously praying that Obama wins in 2012 because it’s the only shot I feel like I have to get adequate medical coverage when companies stop being able to discriminate in 2014. I also have a kid who receives SSI and Medicaid and without those, we’d be up a creek without a paddle. All those therapies cost money and we couldn’t afford them if we didn’t have government help. I also just feel like Boehner and McConnell don’t give a rat’s butt about the people that actually *NEED* the services they want to cut and are just playing partisan games.

–4–

I hate summer. Where I live, it can be in the 90-100 degrees F range easily and I just don’t want to go outside when it’s that hot. Additionally, I’m fair-skinned and I burn if I even think about the sun. I’d be better suited to the Pacific Northwest than the part of northern California where I live. Unfortunately, this weather can stretch into October so I have at least another three months of hell before things hit a reasonable temperature.

–5–

I think that Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose-Driven Live is a piece of pop culture crap. Many people swear by it. I’d prefer to swear at it. It’s pop culture drivel like Joel Osteen and it does positively nothing for my faith. I tried reading it and had to stop at Day 32, by which point my copy was beaten to a pulp from me throwing it across the room multiple times a day.

–6–

I can’t stand the sound of kids crying or whining in church. This makes it doubly hard with Daniel because he’s at an age where he isn’t going to sit still and he wants to pick up everything, shred papers, and crawl down the aisle. I simply can’t keep up with him most of the time and I feel like people who tell me that they don’t mind the screaming are lying to make me feel better. Thus, I’m not making it to church much these days. (I’ve also had personal illness, family emergencies, and other things preventing me.) I’m going to talk to my church ladies this Wednesday to find a solution for this.

–7–

I have no desire to see the Harry Potter movies. I’ve read all seven books multiple times and seen the first three movies. It bugs me when the movie doesn’t follow the plot of the book which made movie #3 an annoyance to me.

(For more quick takes, go see Jen at ConversionDiary.Com.)

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: June 20, 2011

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY June 20, 2011

Outside my window… dark right now but it was in the high 90’s today. Hell Summer has begun — it’s supposed to be up in the 100’s tomorrow.

I am thinking… that the incompetence of the person working on Daniel’s case for the SSA is unprecedented. Seriously, it defies reason.

I am thankful for… the life of Pastor Karen Greschel (colleague of Jon’s) who passed away on Friday morning. Also thankful for the DVD’s of The Big Bang Theory that my dad gave me — they’re keeping me sane at the moment.

From the kitchen… a Caprese baguette from Savemart which was good in idea but crappy and inedible in reality.

I am wearing… my preeclampsia survivor shirt and blue plaid boxer shorts.

I am creating… a viable garden and this entry.

I am going… to Sacramento for appointments over the next two days.

I am reading… Quiverfull: Inside the Christian Patriarchy Movement by Katherine Joyce.

I am hoping… I can get straight answers at Daniel’s neuro appointment on Wednesday and that we can get the SSI mess sorted out.

I am hearing… music from iTunes.

Around the house… cleaned for my parents’ visit on Saturday.

One of my favorite things… Daniel coming and cuddling with me today to watch Martha Speaks and Arthur with him falling asleep during Arthur.

A few plans for the rest of the week: appointments and assorted errands. Also PT for Daniel on Wednesday. (I’m definitely also thankful for his PT who is awesome and explained the sensory issues to me.)

Here is picture for thought I am sharing… no picture this week as I’m timecrunched.

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7 Quick Takes Friday — Seven People/Groups/Organizations That Are Incurring My Wrath

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7 Quick Takes

–1–

Social Security Administration: Get off your butts and process my son’s case. You’ve had the information for a month and a half already!!! If you’ve lost the paperwork, let me know so I can at least get copies to replace stuff.

–2–

Medi-Cal: Get off your butts and process my son’s case. I know you’ve had budget cuts and have sooooo many cases blah blah blah. Again, you’ve had the paperwork for a good long time. Get off your butts and do something!!!

–3–

People who park at the library on flea market days: I’ve mentioned this one before. It’s still pissing me off. The sign is in English and Spanish. I know you can read at least ONE of those languages. PARK ELSEWHERE. You’re preventing people from accessing the library because you’re clogging the parking lot and the access road to the book drop.

–4–

Congresscritters trying to gut Medicare: Is it just me or does anyone else find it “amusing” that the ones trying to get Medicare cut apart are the ones who HAVE government pensions (and huge salaries) and aren’t going to be screwed in their old age by lack of access to affordable medical care? Yeah, I thought so.

–5–

People who cut into congested traffic without using their turn signals: Seriously, this is dangerous. I can’t read your mind and suddenly careening in front of me is not the best idea, especially at 70 mph. (The speed limit may be 65 mph but the flow of traffic is at 70.) Be thankful that I’m alert and not one of the people jawing away on their cell phones (HOLDING THEM) while they drive. Otherwise, things would really suck.

–6–

People who park their *MASSIVE* SUV’s in “compact” parking spaces: You must be blind because there is no other compelling reason for thinking that you can fit your Suburban in that parking space. Then again, they granted you a driver’s license so you must be able to see and read the word in that parking space — you know… “COMPACT”. You also must think I’m made of paper and can squeeze in there to get into the car or that I *LOVE* getting into the car through the passenger side. Guess what… I don’t! Park your gas guzzler elsewhere please.

–7–

Sarah Palin: Ahem… could you stop grandstanding and claiming that you’re “not running for President” when in fact, you’re trying to drum up popular support for a run by your “tour of American sites”. I wish the media would stop trying to chase you and focus on something else more constructive. You’re a freaking moron and God help us if the Republican party picks you as their candidate in 2012. And really… since when is Trump’s condo an “American site”?

(For more of this, head to Conversion Diary.)

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: May 23, 2011

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY May 23, 2011

Outside my window… sunny and LOTS of pollen.

I am thinking… about Ann of House of Estrogen and what she’s going through. Also about an article I read on reforming youth sports and how one of our former parishioners in Minnesota is the poster child for WHY they need to be reformed.

I am thankful for… being able to get together with my heathen family at my brother’s house for the communal birthday gathering. There was some joking around about which city was going to be annihilated next in the Rapture (Christians do have senses of humor — really, we do) and lots of Daniel fun.

From the kitchen… ramen for lunch.

I am wearing… brown polo shirt and khaki capris.

I am creating… this entry. 🙂

I am going… hopefully nowhere else today though I may have to take Mr. Grumpy out for a drive or something to get him to calm down.

I am reading… The Body in the Boullion by Katherine Hall Page. I’m liking her mysteries and I’m thinking that I need to carve out more time to read them.

I am hoping… the pollen abates or it rains. Serious misery here on my part.

I am hearing… Daniel grumping about something.

Around the house… lots of cleaning for Daniel’s 6-month Regional Center eval tomorrow.

One of my favorite things… playing the “yogurt snack game” with Daniel. (He drops the bag in my lap. I say “thank you”. He stands up or crawls in my lap. I put the yogurt snack in my closed hand. He uncurls my fingers and gets his snack.)

A few plans for the rest of the week: Daniel’s 6-month eval, getting some car stuff arranged, and hopefully a lot of unscheduled days.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing… My grandfather and I watching cows when I was 5. I chose this because I miss my grandfather and when Daniel gets grumpy in the evening, I stick him in the car and we go “cow-hunting”. Watching cows is a special pastime shared in my generation by my cousins Kristin and Sarah who are 12 and 13 years younger than me. (*sniffs* Kristin is now 19 and Sarah will be 18 this year.)

Cow-watching with my grandpa.

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