Category Archives: Family

7 Quick Takes: Mississippi State Reps, Donald Trump Insults, and the Like

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Out of touch. So I haven’t actually read my Bloglovin’ feed in probably… a month? If anything fabulously interesting has happened and you’re someone whose blog I read regularly, could you leave me a comment? Please and thank you! 🙂

— 2 —

Why I am thankful I don’t live in Mississippi… The mother of a little girl with type 1 diabetes was having a tough time getting Medicaid/CHIPS to pay for her daughter’s insulin and diabetes supplies (which cost ~ $2500/month) so she wrote to her state lawmakers to see if they could help. One of them, Rep. Jeffrey Guice decided to reply:

“I am sorry for your problem. Have you thought about buying the supplies with money that you earn?”

*facepalm*

Simcha Fisher responds more politely than I would.

— 3 —

Scottish insults to Donald Trump read by a true Scotsman. I’ll throw up a trigger warning for language and for negative Donald Trump content because some people don’t like reading that their presumptive candidate is a bloody moron. In any case, it’s incredibly funny and involves David Tennant.

The next night, there was some follow-up discourse on Brexit. Again, there’s a trigger warning for language.

— 4 —

I have mad skillz, yo! I took this lovely Buzzfeed skills inventory and got 81 out of 100 based on my inability to cook eggs (to which I am allergic), drive a stick-shift, change my own oil, and sew. My great-aunt Jean saw it on my Facebook wall, took the inventory herself, scored a 92, and left a note on my Facebook wall to let me know her score and that I need to keep learning these skills all my life. Yes folks, she’s she’s 93 years old and she’s on Facebook. She still lives on a farm outside of Kalispell, Montana and raises ornamental chickens to show. If I was close by her again, I would totally declare a girls weekend and road-trip across Highway 2 (through Glacier National Park) for some one-on-one time to learn the skills I don’t have which I’d love to have her teach me.

— 5 —

Nice kitty… A video of a cougar swimming in a lake has gone viral.

What a bucolic scen– wait… I know where that lake is! (It’s an hour from me.)

— 6 —

Required baseball take. THE GIANTS BEAT THE A’S. YAYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!! THE GIANTS ARE 6 GAMES AHEAD OF THE LOSERS IN LA IN THE NL WEST STANDINGS. YAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!

— 7 —

A well-deserved shout-out. I showed up for worship at my grandparents’ church here and the priest spoke before worship… well, actually she *chanted* before worship that the organist was out of town so all of us sitting the pews were the musicians for the day. The hymns were all very well-known ones and one of the choir members played the opening notes so we could at least start in tune. Rev. Helen is an amazing vocalist and she led us in chanting the psalm. I think the best part was the recessional hymn which was “Amazing Grace” and people were singing it in 4-part harmony. It was awesome to have people there other than myself who can sing and lead music!

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: June 26, 2016

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For Today… June 26, 2016

Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window… dark. It was a beautiful and sunny day with temps in the 70’s.

I am thinking… about the re-assembly of some pieces of her bedroom furniture which will be taking place tomorrow with the help of her dad and a drill. *bites thumb at IKEA* Mom might want to hide the flame thrower for another few days…

I am thankful… for the soft grey beast at my feet. He’s not the brightest cat in the world but he is a love.

One of my favorite things… Tillamook ice cream. *drools*

I am wearing… jammies. Church clothes this morning were a black patterned top, my black slacks, and my very awesome Naturalizer flats. (These are seriously the best dress shoes I have ever owned.) After church, I went with my charcoal shirt from Old Navy and my black capris from Kohl’s. (Yes, I was wearing this last week. I have a tiny wardrobe, OK?)

I am creating… this blog entry. 🙂

I am watching… Mythbusters. I heart science, engineering, and big explosions.

I am hoping… we can get my dresser and nightstand fixed tomorrow. Failing that, I’m hoping IKEA is willing to ship some new parts.

I am learning… that it’s a bit painful to pound a wire nail into one’s finger. (Don’t ask. Just don’t ask.)

In my kitchen… frozen dinners tonight. We’re still not in the groove in terms of cooking here.

In the school room… Daniel starts ESY next week. Yay!

Post Script… Here are some interesting conspiracy theories in which people believe. *goes off to make some tinfoil hats for people she knows that do actually believe that stuff*

A moment from my day… Daniel helping my mom with the yard.

Daniel helping with the yard.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: Father’s Day 2016

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For Today…

Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window… a nice sunny day with temperatures in the low 60’s. I’m loving the climate here in Washington.

I am thinking… about my to-do list this week and what needs to go in my brain planner.

I am thankful… for this quiet morning.

One of my favorite things… a decent vanilla latté. I got mine from Whidbey Coffee Company this morning.

I am wearing… a charcoal shirt from Old Navy and capris from Kohl’s.

I am creating… this blog entry. 🙂

I am listening to… the Intermezzo channel on Dish Network. It’s peaceful chamber music.

I am hoping… we’ll have Internet this Tuesday!

I am learning… my way around Skagit County.

In my kitchen… dinner for 16 at my grandmother’s house tonight!

In the school room… met with the school district this week about Daniel. I expected 4-5 people. There were 12 (!!!!) comprising every type of support possible for him. I’m pretty excited for next year. 🙂

Post Script… I thought this was kind of interesting. 😉

Shared Quote… “Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons for you are crunchy and go well with ketchup.”

A moment from my day… Today’s Psalm from church (Psalm 43).

Closing Notes: I’m going to be writing a post about various events in the media at some point in the next week. Stay tuned!

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

7 Quick Takes: Getting Settled in Washington

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

*facepalm* Apparently, the phone line here got buried under the driveway when it was redone so Comcast wouldn’t be able to have Internet hooked up here for a MONTH. Dish Network can get it in next week so we’re now Dish Network customers. I’m OK with this — we had Dish Network in Montana and I’m a fan of theirs.

— 2 —

Unpacking. Daniel and I got up here on Friday, the movers came with furniture on Saturday, and we finally moved into the house yesterday when the beds were finally put together and able to be made. I’m currently sleeping in the guest room as we don’t have a bed (or really any furniture) for my room yet. I ordered what I needed on the IKEA website and it will be here next Tuesday… which is the same day as we get Internet installed here. (We’re making do with a mobile hotspot at the moment.) In the meantime, we’re unpacking every possible box and probably have more than my weight in cardboard and packing paper!

— 3 —

Daniel and school. I had the luck of finding all the necessary paperwork online for the school district here and filled it all out while I was still in San Jose. The good news: I’m apparently so detail-oriented that I filled out every possible piece of paperwork that was necessary with the exception of a records release that I had to pick up from Daniel’s home elementary school up here. (There were also 5 BIG emails of papers sent to Special Education for his IEP, evaluations, etc.) I have him signed up and set-up for ESY (extended school year — basically summer school) up here and that takes place in July. I had a meeting with Daniel’s team (12 people!!!!!) this morning and based on how thorough they were about getting every possible person to this meeting, I’m feeling pretty good about the next school year.

— 4 —

Guest cats. While we were trying to get unpacked and beds were being set up, we were staying at my grandmother’s house and my parents put their two cats in my grandmother’s room downstairs as it was the biggest room. (My grandmother is in an assisted living place here so she wasn’t displaced for this.) My grandmother’s cat Mandy would sit in front of the sliding glass door outside her room and watch my parents’ cats puff up and throw themselves at the window. It was like she was sitting there and watching the floor show while eating popcorn! When I’d let her into the house, I would pick her up and stroke her and tell her that she was evil. (She looks like a clone of my former cat Freya except with a bushier tail — same football shape and coloring. It’s fitting because Freya was (and still is) evil.)

— 5 —

Fitbit. I’m seriously loving my Fitbit Surge. It’s good to see some of the biological data that I keep getting asked to record but can’t for whatever reason. (How am I supposed to know how much sleep I’m getting if I don’t know exactly when I’m falling asleep!?!?!?) It’s kind of humbling to know that I’m getting so little sleep (though it explains a lot) and I’m kind of bummed that it isn’t picking up all my steps, especially when I’m in a challenge against other people based on step count.

On the other hand, it tracks how many flights of stairs I’ve climbed and that has been a lot in the last few days. Yesterday, it gave me the Redwood Badge for 25 flights of stairs! This is a new thing for me as I haven’t lived in a place with stairs in 6 years.

— 6 —

Thunderation! We had a pretty nice storm system blow through yesterday and I was dealing with thunder and lightning while trying to unload all my stuff at the new house. Another time, I was dealing with a pretty intense squall while driving. I haven’t had weather like that since some mountain thunderstorms hit last year in Claremont a couple of the times while I was driving home! The last time I had regular weather like that was Minnesota 11 years ago.

— 7 —

A Daniel story. I’ve been teaching him how to say “I am cute” and he finally said it a couple nights ago at dinner. Ironically, it was when he was *NOT* being cute but it definitely provided some levity.

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: June 5, 2016

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For Today… June 5, 2016

Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window… hot hot hot. 90F at the moment and I can’t wait to move to a colder climate!

I am thinking… about what is on my plate tomorrow as far as packing up the contents of my closets as well as my clothes. There will definitely be laundry involved.

I am thankful… that lectoring went well this morning. I was “in the zone” and made it through with only one tiny mistake.

One of my favorite things… rain. So excited to head to Washington and have some. (We’ve been in drought for the last few years in California, last year pretty intensely.)

I am wearing… blue-green shirt and black shorts. I wore a wrap dress with a camisole under it this morning for church.

I am creating packing lists for the things I need to take north with me in my car.

I am reading… The Fear Babe still. I haven’t had a lot of time to read lately.

I am hoping… everything goes smoothly with the move.

I am learning… about various requirements for establishing residency in Washington.

In my kitchen… I’m heading to a potluck for choir in a few minutes so I don’t know what my parents and Daniel are going to be doing tonight.

In the school room… Daniel finished school last Thursday!

Post Script… Voting for the 2016 MLB All-Star game is still going on. If you aren’t sure who to pick, any player with “SEA” by their name in the American League or “SF” by their name in the National League are fabulous choices. 😉

Shared Quote… “Never once did Jesus scan the room for the best example of ?holy living and send that person out to tell others about him. He always sent stumblers and sinners. I find that comforting.” — Nadia Bolz-Weber

A moment from my day… a channel full of music from The Chieftains — it’s one of my happy places.

Closing Notes: Please pray for me on my move north. I’ll be leaving on Tuesday and doing the drive over three days.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

{five favorites}: Things I’m Looking Forward To When I Move to Washington

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In less than a week, I’ll be moving to Washington with my family. To take my mind off of the fact that it is hotter than hell in California and the fact that I have a lot of good-byes to say in the next couple days, here are things I’m looking forward to in Washington.

One

A cooler climate. I don’t do heat well. I like four distinct seasons. Washington tends to be 10-15 degrees cooler than northern California on average. It’s supposed to be in the 60’s and raining on moving day. I’m positively giddy.

Two

Family. The vast chunk of my immediate and extended family are in western Washington. I’m looking forward to being a two hour drive from people (depending on traffic) rather than two hours by plane. I’ll be nearby my grandma’s assisted living facility so I can see her at least weekly if not more often.

Three

Seattle. I have always wanted to live in Seattle (my parents are UW alums and it was my dream school) and I loved spending time up there with my fairy godmother (one of my mom’s college roommates — long story) every year in high school and college. I’ll be close enough to go down and see her and have zoo trips with her and Daniel. (The Woodland Park Zoo is one of my happy places.) We can get henna at Pike Place Market to dye my hair, go to the Aquarium, and do a whole host of other things.

Four

Vancouver. I’ll be close enough to one of my favorite cities for a day trip and might be able to schedule a meet-up with Richard, who has been a dear friend of this blog for almost 14 years.

Five

Rain. I adore it.

Go love up Bonnie and the others.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: May 22, 2016

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For Today…

Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window… cloudy and in the 60’s. It’s been cool all day and threatening to rain. Given how much I hate hot weather, I’m all in favor of it even if it gives me migraines.

I am thinking… about the move in 2 1/2 weeks.

Oh yeah… this is what the vague-blogging has been about. My parents and Daniel and I are moving to Washington in June. It’s been in works since November. We had to be out of the house for two weeks in April while the floors were redone, the doors replaced, and the trim replaced. After that, we had a week of realtor showings that required vacating the house at a moment’s notice. The house sold fast and Mom and Dad spent a couple days in Washington house-shopping. They put in an offer which was accepted and closing is on June 3rd.

I am thankful… for today’s choir anthem going well.

One of my favorite things… office supply stores. Staples is my idea of nirvana.

I am wearing… long-sleeved green striped shirt and jeans. For church this morning, I traded my jeans for my black dress slacks and black flats.

I am creating change-of-address postcards.

I am reading… The Fear Babe: Shattering Vani Hari’s Glass House by Marc Draco, Kavin Senapathy, and Mark Alsip. The book takes all of the Food Babe’s pseudo-scientific stupidity and deconstructs it using facts, actual science, and logic.

I am hoping… a friend comes home from his missions trip safely.

I am learning… about the various state agencies that work with kiddos like Daniel in Washington.

In my kitchen… Dad is making hot dogs tonight.

In the school room… Daniel has two weeks left and I’m starting to scan paperwork to send to the school district in Washington.

Post Script… if you know someone with fibromyalgia, I recommend reading this.

Shared Quote… From Facebook…

I couldn't resist sharing this one from Facebook...

A moment from my day… As it is Trinity Sunday I thought I’d share this.

Closing Notes: I saw a blog post shared on Facebook this weekend in which a mommy blogger who had done lots of giveaways and earned money from her blog was telling all the other mommy bloggers to give up their blogs because she had seen the error of her ways and, like, nobody cares or is reading mommy blogs anymore. I’d disagree that mommy bloggers need to stop writing and give up their blogs. Readership of blogs is down across the board but if it brings you joy to blog and scratches that itch, go for it. Unless you are saying something dangerous, something seriously untrue, or being a complete and utter Sanctimommy, I’ll generally ignore you if your blog has too many sponsored posts or if you bore me to pieces.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.