Category Archives: Family

7 Quick Takes: The No Internet Edition

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7 Quick Takes

This blog post is being written on Saturday night and will be posted on Sunday when I can get to $tarbux for some Internet time. Our ISP shut off our service because we were supposed to be switching to satellite but they screwed up on a pretty large scale and we’ve been without Internet until Wednesday — something very hard for my family of geeks. So… here is a list of things I’ve done that don’t require Internet.

— 1 —

Play lots of solitare. My laptop came up with Microsoft Solitare Collection and I’ve played every type in the last few days except for Freecell. I’m finding that the ordering aspect of Spider Solitare is helpful when I’m pondering things.

— 2 —

Hang out with family. My evil twin and his long-suffering wife came up on Friday and stayed until mid-afternoon when the six of us headed south for the 30th anniversary party for one of my mom’s college friend who is like an adopted aunt to us. Other than Daniel being a pill and having a couple meltdowns, it was fun.

— 3 —

Visit farm stands for produce and local food. If I drive a couple miles west and cross the Skagit River, I’m in farmland and there are some really cool produce places around here. My goal: find some plain cheese curds and a good Italian soda. (Schuh Farms is fabulous for this.) It’s berry season here and people are picking lots of them.

— 4 —

Deep clean the house. We’re having a lot of company these days between the twin and the girl coming up as well as Jon’s visit up here next week. Mom has commented as well that she’s getting a lot more done because she can’t really spend time on the computer.

— 5 —

Watch the Olympics. The events I care about are largely over but I always like rooting for the underdog. It was also fabulous to see Simone Biles WIN ALL THE MEDALS!!!

— 6 —

Read. I had to put down Fear Babe because it stopped keeping my attention and I’m reading a Savannah Reid murder mystery right now.

— 7 —

Organize my room. I’ve got piles of papers to file, hole-punch, and/or shred. Not being able to be online means that I’m getting a lot done.

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: August 7, 2016

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For Today…

Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window… dark. It was 70F earlier but just touching being warm enough to be outside without a light sweatshirt. We also had some sprinkles earlier which is expected for western Washington.

I am thinking… about how annoying all the SCANDAL-style reporting is on gymnastics. Tonight’s scandal: ALY RAISMAN IS GOING TO NUDGE OUT GABBY DOUGLAS FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE ALL-AROUND!!!!! WHAT WILL WE DOOOOOOOOOOOO?!?!?!?

I am thankful… for the discovery of Snow Goose Produce, a local seasonal produce market. I really wish the line for their ice cream hadn’t been out the door because it looked pretty good and I wanted some!

One of my favorite things… having the bed to myself. Waiting to Daniel to go back to sleep so I can put him back in his own bed and not have him taking up 2/3 of my bed.

I am wearing… jammies. Church clothes were a black top, black slacks, and black flats. The rest of the day, it was an indigo shirt, jeans, and my running shoes.

I am creating… a big boy blankie for Daniel. I’ve picked it back up and am working on the edging.

I am watching… the Olympics. Gymnastics just finished and the medal ceremony for US Men’s Swimming is going on.

I am hoping… for decent sleep tonight with this stupid cold.

I am learning… my limits in functioning while this sick.

In my kitchen… Dad made burgers and we also had corn from one of the local farms.

In the school room… Daniel is still off of school and will go back on the 30th.

Post Script… I thought this was interesting, especially as I’m one of those ladies. 🙂

Shared Quote… This is Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 which was the passage I was lectoring this morning:

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old– and Sarah herself was barren– because he considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.”

All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.”

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: July 24, 2016

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For Today… July 24, 2016

Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window… dusk. We’ve had pretty sunsets lately. I think it was in the high 70’s today?

I am thinking… about my to-do list for tomorrow.

I am thankful… for my church. Amazing worship today, amazing people, amazing sermon.

One of my favorite things… seeing the water lapping on the rocks in Padilla Bay.

I am wearing… jammies. Clothes for today were an indigo v-neck and black capris which I swapped out for a denim skirt for church.

I am creating… this entry and various emails.

I am listening to… a fascinating YouTube playlist of Christian music but from all different traditions. Right now, it’s something from Anúna which is breathtaking and speaks to the inner parts of my heart. Next on the list: St. Patrick’s Breastplate which is a favorite hymn of mine.

I am hoping… to finally get my car cleaned out tomorrow.

I am learning… why I seriously need the rest days in between Fitbit challenges! My poor feet were incredibly grumpy yesterday.

In my kitchen… I’m smelling my dad making some kind of soup for himself with chicken broth.

In the school room… my kiddo has one more week of ESY.

Post Script… I wish I’d seen this list of seven perfect replies to (politely) shut down negative people 16 years ago. It would have made various aspects of my life so much easier.

Shared Quote… “Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

7 Quick Takes: Lots of Politics and Some Other Randomness

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Butterflies in my stomach. I’m currently waiting for my cousin Sarah to come over with her fiancé Evan. I have serious butterflies in my stomach because I haven’t met him yet. I’m excited to get to see Sarah for the first time in almost 6 years — she’s one of my favorite cousins and I think Daniel will love her. (We all love her so that’s not surprising.)

**UPDATE** It was a fabulous visit.

— 2 —

Introverts for the win! I saw an article this week on why silence is much for important to our brains than previously thought. This totally explains how my mind works better than I could ever vocalize, especially why I could sit down at my computer and bang out a 10 page paper without writing a bunch of drafts first and have it receive the highest grade in my college classes.

— 3 —

Fascinating. Someone shared this piece which has a bunch of pictures from the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder. As know most of my readers are fans of her books, I thought I’d pass it on.

— 4 —

A chart of lying liars who lie. Someone shared this chart of the biggest liars in the 2016 election and not surprisingly, Donald Trump is at the top. Hillary is 2nd from the bottom and Obama is at the bottom. Why am I mentioning this? IT WAS MORMONPRESS.COM WHO COMPILED IT!!!! You would think that they would be anti-Hillary which makes me trust their chart a bit more because why would they publish something like this unless the numbers backed it up?

— 5 —

Because food is a uniting force. Instead of having a protest, the Wichita police department had a cook-out with the local Black Lives Matter group. Props to police chief Gordon Ramsey and activist A.J. Bohannon for putting this together and finding a way to get along and show that police and the BLM can get along!

— 6 —

This terrifies me. As the mom of a kiddo with autism, this terrifies me. And seriously, y’all? The autistic man had A FREAKING TOY FIRE TRUCK!!!! That officer should be facing some serious charges!!!

— 7 —

In all seriousness… I was going to share the picture of Donald Trump’s star in Hollywood surrounded by a miniature concrete wall. However, in light of him accepting the nomination from the GOP to be their candidate for the presidential election in November, I thought it better to share what it really does look like to “throw a little gas” as Trump joked about Saddam Hussein doing. Genocide isn’t a joke, y’all, and I really hope that any Trump supporters reading this take a long hard look at themselves because voting for someone who thinks this is funny is a foul move.

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

{five favourites}: Miscellanea (LXVIII)

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#5Faves

One

Walks. I’m dealing some messes in my personal life and have been walking either a loop around the neighborhood or down to Haggen and back. It’s helping a lot with regard to the endorphin boost regulating my moods better.

Two

Quiet. I love the quiet time after everyone goes to sleep when I am the only one up. I’m a pretty quiet person and I really do like stillness.

Three

The climate. It’s 10-15 degrees cooler here most of the time and I’m loving not having 90F heat! It means that I can go for walks during the day and I am not having to wait until the temperature drops significantly before I go outside.

Four

The green space around me. The developers have left quite a bit of forest land around as has the local golf course where there is an actual beaver pond. I love walking around the area for that reason — it’s incredibly pretty. 🙂 I also love looking out my bedroom window and seeing mountains and forests in the distance.

Five

Daniel being in a good mood. He was a pill for much of last week and was kicking off with tantrums and screeching. And seriously, HOW IS IT THAT A NON-VERBAL KIDDO CAN WHINE?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? He seems to have worked through whatever it is and he’s a pretty chill for the most part.

Go love up Bonnie, babystylista, and the others.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: July 10, 2016

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For Today… July 10, 2016

Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window… dark. It was a beautiful day today with temperatures in the 70’s. I’m loving the climate here in Washington.

I am thinking… about my meeting with the insurance agent tomorrow to get my policy changed to Washington. It won’t be bad but it’s one more thing to cross off my to-do list.

I am thankful… for a good visit with my evil twin, his long-suffering wife, and her family. I’m also really thankful that after a few days of being a pill, Daniel had a pretty good day.

One of my favorite things… a day when my alarm doesn’t have to be set and I can sleep in. That’s not going to be happening for a while though.

I am wearing… jammies. Church clothes were a black fitted tee from Old Navy, a black paisley skirt from Kohl’s, and my black cardigan from Kohl’s. After church, I traded my skirt and cardigan for jeans.

I am creating… emails.

I am watching… COPS: Reloaded. I’m a cop show junkie.

I am hoping… certain emails of mine eventually get answered this week.

I am learning… where all the cool farms are in the area.

In my kitchen… tri-tip, potatoes, and salad tonight with a surprise birthday cake for my sister-in-law for dessert.

In the school room… Daniel is enjoying ESY and good reports are coming home for him each day. It isn’t surprising — he loves school and tends to be a sweet kid there.

Post Script… a friend shared this piece on why #AllLivesMatter is offensive to #BlackLivesMatter supporters. The gist: all lives *SHOULD* matter but, in practice, they don’t.

Shared Quote… “… Reading the Scriptures in church has to be an authentic proclamation of the reader’s faith. Preparation is essential – there are far too many last-minute readings in our churches.” — Olivia de Havilland on reading Scripture as a lector.

Closing Notes: I’m hoping this week to be able to write something on why I don’t weigh in on everything that happens in the media and why there is frequently radio silence from me these days after a week like last week.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: July 3, 2016

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For Today… July 3, 2016

Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window… dusk. It was sunny and around 74F this afternoon.

I am thinking… about what I have on my plate this week.

I am thankful… that Daniel is falling asleep, especially as we’re out of one of his evening ADHD meds and we can’t get another supply until Tuesday because the script I have for it is written by an out-of-state doctor. Due to all the [insert expletive] who get scripts from out-of-state doctors to abuse meds or who steal prescription pads to get meds to abuse, they have to call and verify that Daniel’s psych actually wrote the prescriptions and is authorized to prescribe them. I seriously bite my thumb at these [insert expletive].

One of my favorite things… re-runs of Leverage.

I am wearing… jammies. Church clothes were a wrap dress with a camisole and a cardigan with black flats. The rest of the day, it was my “We will not be silent” shirt and jeans.

I am creating… furniture and boxes of stuff for Goodwill.

I am reading… Fear Babe still. I have a decent drive to the house where we are having dinner tomorrow so I’m hoping to get a chunk read during that time.

I am hoping… that I can do reasonably well in all the Workweek Hustle challenges for Fitbit that I am part of this week.

I am learning… how handy I actually am these days. I managed to assemble furniture largely on my own (some of the holes were badly drilled so I had to borrow my dad’s drilling skillz) and I can do some repairs on my own.

In my kitchen… dinners with family for the next couple days. Tonight was fish, potatoes, salad, and pie.

In the school room… Daniel starts ESY up here this week!

Post Script… I’m finding that this post hits every note I was trying to hit while writing a post with my reaction to things in the news.

Shared Quote…

Opinions and coffee.

A moment from my day… What can I say? I’m not even remotely a morning person.

Why you really shouldn't mess with me before my morning coffee...

Closing Notes: If you’re considering a vote for Trump this fall, read this. You need to know what your candidate and his minions support.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.