Category Archives: Family

7 Quick Takes: Things for Which I Am Thankful

Posted on by

7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

I am thankful that I am not in the ER with Daniel. Let’s just say that Thanksgiving 2011 really stunk and leave it at that.

— 2 —

I am thankful for getting to spend some time with my brother and sister-in-law. They are down from Tacoma for the holiday weekend and it has been good to see them for the first time in 6 months. Jeanette (my SIL) and I worked on making the various sides today and she has been a FABULOUS aunt for Daniel.

— 3 —

I am thankful for my in-laws. When I mention that we’re living with in-laws currently, people usually eye me suspiciously and ask how it’s going. The answer: we’re making it work. They’ve been my other set of parents for 14 years (12 of them legally) and I’m not sure I could share a house with anyone else. It takes LOTS of communication and apparently my mother-in-law and I are wired so similarly that people have a hard time believing that we’re not related by blood.

— 4 —

I am thankful for the adorable child sandwiched between Jon and I in the guest bed. He’s a miniature hot water bottle for me and he is a cuddlebug.

— 5 —

I’m thankful that I didn’t engage in any trash-talking with my extended family before the San Francisco-Seattle game today. I think the 49’ers sent in a junior high team against the Seahawks. It was pretty brutal. The next big sporting event for my family is on Saturday when the UW Huskies (my parents’ alma mater) take on the WSU Cougars (where my cousin Sarah goes to school and is in the marching band). It should be… interesting.

— 6 —

I am thankful that I am not homeschooling Daniel this year. I have all the tools to do it, not to mention a mother-in-law who homeschooled both kids from K-12. However, I really don’t have the patience to do it — my personality is like the one of a drill sergeant. When I want Daniel to do things, I want them done correctly the first time and I want immediate obedience. However, 5 year olds do not do well with this approach, especially Daniel. I am more than happy to leave the main part of his education to the professionals.

— 7 —

I am thankful to be done with this entry so I can go to sleep. Good night, y’all!

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: November 23, 2014

Posted on by

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY November 23, 2014

Outside my window… dark. It was maybe in the 60’s today. I’m actually blogging earlier than usual as I’m trying to get Daniel to go to sleep (without breaking out the Samuel L. Jackson book) and he won’t go to sleep unless one of us is present. *sigh*

I am thinking… about how much I love the liturgical year and about today being Christ the King Sunday for me as a Lutheran. I’m kind of bummed I missed church this morning because some of my favorite hymns were being sung. (I was having a fibro flare and as Jon had a wedding this afternoon, I needed to rest to have my A game on for Daniel.)

I am thankful… for Gabapentin which helps with the pain. (It’s nerve pain so painkillers like Tylenol and Aleve are useless. And yes, I get asked that frequently.)

In the kitchen… Daniel’s dishes to toss in the dishwasher. I haven’t had dinner yet — I’ll make it after Jon finishes cat chores and takes over putting Daniel down. (We’re in hour 2 of “put-Daniel-to-bed”.)

I am wearing… light gray v-neck shirt and jeans.

I am praying for… closure about Edda (still missing after almost 2 weeks), for finances, for a call for Jon, and for various special intentions regarding family members.

I am going… to go to IKEA with Daniel sometime in the next two days. I haven’t been in 4 years and it would be something to do other than the worksheets that his teacher sent home for this week. Also, I’m puzzling over the fact that she said that she wouldn’t send homework home like that if the parents didn’t want it. Seriously, we could probably get all of them done in about an hour… and that’s with my child who has no attention span. It’s not like this is putting us out at all and I remember always having stuff like that over vacation even in kindergarten. What is with parents these days?!?!?!? (I’m under the assumption that her statement is because parents have complained about actually having to do something with their kid… like read to them.)

I am wondering… what happened to Edda. I miss my lovey little house panther very much.

I am reading… Skein of the Crime by Maggie Sefton. It’s another in the series of murder mysteries about a woman in Colorado. I also read all of The Chocolate Clown Corpse by Joanna Carl and part of French Pastry Murder by Leslie Meier before I put the latter down due to it failing to keep my attention.

I am hoping… to get the two Christmas stockings done by the time we leave San Jose on Sunday.

I am looking forward to… seeing my family on Wednesday.

I am hearing… Jon feeding cats.

Around the house… cat chores being done and laundry to be folded once Daniel is down and I’ve had a chance to shower.

A favorite quote for today… “I quit church, stopped reading my Bible, gave up on any real semblance of a prayer life — and you know what? He was big enough to take it. His feelings weren’t hurt when I spoke words of doubt instead of faith. He didn’t mind when I cried rather than worshipped. He is God enough to handle this human heart of mine. He didn’t scold me; He didn’t heap “shoulds” or shame on me; He didn’t tell me to let go and let Him. He just sat in The Great Sadness with me.” — Alece Ronzino over at Deeper Story. (Read the rest of it here. HT: Rachel Held Evans.)

One of my favorite things… In-n-Out cheeseburgers with spread and pickles only, fries, and a Coke.

A few plans for the rest of the week: IKEA trip with Daniel, errands, crocheting, driving up to San Jose on Wednesday, and bonding with my family.

A peek into my day… Instead of a picture, I’m going to share an interesting link that I got from Rachel Held Evans.

Gate A-4

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: November 17, 2014

Posted on by

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY November 17, 2014

Outside my window… dark. It’s almost midnight and as usual, I’m doing this late at night while everyone else sleeps.

I am thinking… about Edda and wondering where she is. (For those not in the know, my black cat Edda disappeared last Wednesday night.)

I am thankful… for my mother-in-law getting Daniel off the bus so I could pull the covers over my head and hide from life for a few hours.

In the kitchen… clean now but various things were made today.

I am wearing… green shirt and black sweats.

I am praying for… Edda to come home or for the grace to come to terms with her being gone, for a call for Jon, and for a number of other intentions.

I am going… to do some more flyering tomorrow to see if we can’t get some information on where Edda is.

I am wondering… what happened to her. (Do you see a theme here?)

I am reading… A Deadly Yarn by Maggie Sefton. I’ve gotten into her murder mysteries big time. I also read and finished my Miss Julia book by Ann B. Ross last week.

I am hoping… Edda does eventually come home.

I am looking forward to… maybe getting a pedicure this week. I need one pretty badly given how cracked and dried out my feet are these days.

I am hearing… Jon snore and Arthur (my in-laws’ citrus cat who is snuggled up at my feet) purring like a Harley Davidson.

Around the house… silence except for Jon and Arthur.

A favorite quote for today… “It is as if a sort of communal personality came into existence. Of course, it is not a real person: it is only rather like a person. But that is just one of the differences between God and us. What grows out of the joint life of the Father and Son is a real Person, is in fact the Third of the three Persons who are God.

This third Person is called, in technical language, the Holy Ghost or the “spirit” of God. Do not be worried or surprised if you find it (or Him) rather vaguer or more shadowy in your mind than the other two. I think there is a reason why that must be so. In the Christian life you are not usually looking at Him: He is always acting through you. If you think of the Father as something “out there,” in front of you, and of the Son as someone standing at your side, helping you to pray, trying to turn you into another son, then you have to think of the third Person as something inside you, or behind you. Perhaps some people might find it easier to begin with the third Person and work backwards. God is love, and that love works through men – especially through the whole community of Christians. But this spirit of love is, from all eternity, a love going on between the Father and Son.” — C.S. Lewis

One of my favorite things… playing a good word in Words with Friends on Facebook.

A few plans for the rest of the week: flyering the neighborhood, choir practice on Wednesday, and Date Night at some point. Oh yes… also trying to get the Christmas cards ordered.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

Five Favorites: Miscellanea (XXIV)

Posted on by

Five Favorites

One

My mother-in-law. In the last 24 hours alone, she has watched Daniel for me, made me some gingerbread to help with my nausea, and made me some comfort food for my lunch. It’s those little things that make her so awesome.

Two

The cooler weather. I hate heat which is why it makes no logical sense that I live in a desert. (Then again, I really didn’t have a choice in the matter and nothing in my life has ever made logical sense.) It’s been chilly in the mornings and it’s supposed to be in the low 70’s for the next 10 days. I am positively giddy.

Three

Sleep. I’ve been having to go back to bed while Daniel is in school this week due to my mutant death cold. I’m not sleeping well at night because I will start coughing if I’m flat on my back. Eventually, I’ll catch up, right?

Four

Reading. I’ve discovered a new series that takes place in a fictional town in Colorado and involves a yarn shop. I believe the author is Maggie Sefton?

Five

The hoodie my mom found for me at Costco. It has polyester fur on the inside and keeps me nice and toasty when I’m helping Daniel put out books in the morning or waiting for the bus to pick him up.

Go love up Jenna and the others.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: November 4, 2014

Posted on by

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY November 4, 2014

Outside my window… sunny. It’s allegedly 80F outside but it is freezing in the house. Well… either that or I’m having chills.

I am thinking… about Thanksgiving week and how to keep Daniel entertained on the 2.5 days he’ll be off of school before we leave for my parents’ house.

I am thankful… for my mother-in-law and Jon taking Daniel on errands so I can get some more rest and fight this stupid cold.

In the kitchen… all I’ve had today is Instant Breakfast and yogurt so nothing is cooking on my end. I smelled onions when I went in for water so I think Jon has a raw onion cut up in the fridge.

I am wearing… a wine-colored shirt and jeans.

I am praying for… friends traveling in the Holy Land, a call for Jon, for Katie and her husband as they adopt Felicity

I am going… to try not to go online to see any election returns today. It’s one of the few times I’m thankful I don’t have access to TV.

I am wondering… about how to work Christmas this year.

I am reading… Gossamer Ghost by Laura Childs. Apparently, I was #1 on the list for it in the LA County library system.

I am hoping… to get back to walking every morning again once this stupid cold goes away.

I am looking forward to… being well again.

I am hearing… Daniel — they just got home.

Around the house… it was relatively quiet until a few minutes ago.

A favorite quote for today… “I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.” — Douglas Adams

One of my favorite things… being able to breathe easily. I miss it.

A few plans for the rest of the week: a trip to the grocery store that isn’t Trader Joe’s, the new dishwasher being installed tomorrow (the other one broke last week so we’ve been having to wash by hand… I know, #firstworldproblems), and whatever else comes up.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

7 Quick Takes: Baseball, Witchcraft, and Why I Despair At the State of Our Media

Posted on by

7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Rules for eating and such rendered in the style of the Old Testament. I first read this 10+ years ago and it still makes me almost die from laughing so hard. Anyone with small children will understand. My favorite line is, “Leave the cat alone. For what has the cat done that you should so afflict it with tape?”

— 2 —

So… I guess you heard that the Giants won the World Series? It was an amazing series and I’m thankful that I got to watch/listen to all or part of 6 of the 7 games. (I watched all of Games 1-3, saw a portion of Game 4 in addition to my mom checking the score on her smartphone during dinner on Saturday, listened to Game 5 on my long drive home on Sunday, and got to watch/listen to over half of Game 7 last night.) I’m impressed that Madison Bumgarner pitched in Game 1, Game 5, and then 5 innings of Game 7 last night. (So is Jason Motte, my favorite closer with the St. Louis Cardinals. Real classy, Jason. It’s why I follow you.)

To the Royals fans who read: you guys have a kick-@$$ team and you made my boys work for that World Series victory. I wouldn’t doubt that y’all give the MLB a run for their money next year because Game 7 could have gone either way. And seriously… your team had the Kansas City Symphony play the national anthem one night and had one of your opera stars sing it the next night — y’all are classy. 🙂

— 3 —

Yet another baseball Quick Take. One interesting trend this season has been “Hunter Pence signs”. It was a weird trolling thing started by some Mets fans this past summer and it went viral. At all of the away games, fans of the home team bring the signs. There s a Twitter collection of them here.

There’s even a rap video based on the signs:

— 4 —

One of the few times I miss having a TV and cable. I’m kind of bummed that I likely won’t be able to watch Election Night stuff from Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. Apparently, it’s going to be fun.

— 5 —

The difference between the media in the USA and the media in Canada. Can we just say that the Canadian media won on this one?

(And for all the people who are going to tell me that I hate my country and should move to Canada, we did try in 2009.)

— 6 —

This one goes out to all the moronic conspiracy theorists claiming that vaccines cause autism. Actually, there are more than 100 genes that contribute. That many genes are a bit much to be turned on by the body’s response to a vaccine.

And for the morons who are citing a bad reading of a Canadian study linking the MMR vaccine to febrile seizures, you might want to read the part of the study which mentions the seizures occur most often in kids who had been selectively vaccinated or on delayed schedules. There’s also the fact that some kids get these seizures around ages 2.5 to 4 years old and said seizure is the first sign that the kid has a fever. I should know… Daniel is/was one of them and we made 3 trips to the ER for them in the year after his third birthday. (One of those trips was actually the night before his third birthday.) It’s terrifying to watch your kid seize like that, but it sure beats watching your kids on a ventilator because your delusion and paranoia over pseudoscience landed them in the hospital with a completely preventable disease.

— 7 —

Wow… a somewhat balanced look at Common Core. I don’t love everything Simcha Fisher has to say but her piece on Common Core was very balanced. I hear a lot of complaining about the math portion, but the way they’re doing math actually makes a great deal of sense to me. There was a teacher who taught my elementary school class how to do mental math, how math works, and how numbers relate to each other. This means that I have a better than average grasp of the metric system and scientific notation, both of which make infinitely more sense than the English/imperial system used in the United States.

As for literature, Simcha mentioned that they tend to err on the side of non-fiction which is fine with me. I always read things that interested me and my parents didn’t have to introduce me to good literature because I generally found it on my own.

— Bonus —

Here’s something for Halloween. I found this piece on the history of witchcraft to be pretty interesting. (Then again, my college degree dealt with this sort of thing, especially in the history and anthropology classes I took.) She’s not endorsing the practice of Wicca or anything (and she mentions that Wicca is a 20th century invention) and she makes some interesting points about cultures in which witchcraft is still an excuse for stuff going wrong. It’s definitely worth a read.

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: October 27, 2014

Posted on by

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY October 27, 2014

Outside my window… dark. I’m blogging late at night which seems to be my M.O.

I am thinking… about the things I need to get done tomorrow while Daniel is in school. Lots of papers to sort, insurance phone calls, etc.

I am thankful… for Katie of Blessed with Full Hands who got to meet her little girl today in China.

In the kitchen… dishes in the sink because the dishwasher isn’t working correctly.

I am wearing… my Run for the Little Flowers Virtual 5K shirt and capri sweats from Lands’ End that are about 10 years old.

I am praying for… a call for Jon, some special intentions, and continual discernment regarding a few aspects of my life.

I am going… to hopefully get my hair cut tomorrow. It’s definitely time.

I am reading… Becoming Who You Are: Insights on the True Self from Thomas Merton and Other Saints by James Martin, S.J. and another murder mystery whose title is eluding me.

I am hoping… to find lots for Daniel to do on Friday when he is off school.

I am looking forward to… the costume parade at Daniel’s elementary school on Thursday morning. He’ll be dressed as a Giants fan so I’m also hoping that the Giants win the World Series. 😉

I am hearing… Jon’s CPAP.

Around the house… quiet because everyone else is asleep.

A favorite quote for today… “Isaiah 55 provides an entirely different framework for thinking about God’s justice, because it suggests that we have it backward — the mystery lies not in God’s unfathomable wrath but in his unfathomable mercy. God’s ways are higher than our ways because his capacity to love is infinitely greater than our own. Despite all that we do to alienate ourselves from God, all that we do to insult and disobey, God abundantly pardons again and again.” — Rachel Held Evans, Evolving in Monkey Town

One of my favorite things… watching “raccoon TV” in the evenings — there are raccoons nearby who stop by my in-laws’ yard for a snack and they get whatever leftovers there are that aren’t edible for the humans.

A few plans for the rest of the week: possible haircut tomorrow, some walks by myself/with Daniel, choir practice on Wednesday, Daniel’s costume parade for school on Thursday, and whatever comes up this weekend.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.