Caramel frappucinos. It’s been a bit of a crazy week and this was breakfast for me this morning as I fought traffic on my way to my psychiatrist appointment. It made a hectic morning a bit better.
Two
The $tarbux mobile app. It lets me put my order in at the nearest $tarbux and pay on my phone so that all I have to do is walk in and pick it up without having to wait in the drive-thru or stand in any line. This is a godsend when I am in a hurry as I have been the last few mornings.
Three
My psychiatrist. She found a justification for prescribing me my migraine preventative. It’s actually a psychiatric medication used off-label for migraines so she’s claiming it as something to help with my depression. Given that I’ve been on it for 6.5 years without a problem with it interacting with my normal anti-depressant, I’ll take it.
Four
World’s Largest Virtual Hallelujah Chorus. Michelle of Scenes from the Wild shared this and I am so jealous of everyone who got to participate! My mom and I used to do the You-Sing-It Messiah sponsored by the San Jose Symphonic Choir when I was in high school and college. Since then, I’ve performed the Christmas section a few times or have been a rent-a-soprano or rent-an-alto when choir directors I know have done choruses from Handel’s Messiah.
Five
Simcha’s article on daily prayer. The only thing I would add to Simcha’s article on daily prayer is saying Compline while putting your kiddos to bed.
Outside my window… dark. It was grey with intermittent rain showers today. Despite being out of my migraine preventative (and having a doctor who refuses to prescribe it), I’m loving the weather.
I am thinking… about this week and the chaos it will bring.
I am thankful… that Daniel was in a cuddly mood today and decided to take a nap so I could have one as well.
A Daniel story for today… he kept asking for “shower” and we kept telling him that it was too early for his shower. When he took his nap this afternoon, Mom and I finally figured out why he was asking — his shower always comes before he goes to sleep at night so he thought he ought to have one before his nap!
Around the house… repairs/renovations/ordered chaos.
A favorite quote for today… “I need a God who is bigger and more nimble and mysterious than what I could understand and contrive. Otherwise it can feel like I am worshipping nothing more than my own ability to understand the divine.” — Nadia Bolz-Weber in Pastorix
One of my favorite things… music. It enriches my life.
A few plans for the rest of the week: collateral services meeting with Clementine tomorrow, blood work for the kid on Tuesday morning (it has to be fasting blood work too which will be a new level of hell for all of us), psych appointment on Wednesday, Jon visiting from Wednesday to Friday, morning prayer/Bible study on Thursday, and whatever else comes up.
A peek into my day… This song seems to describe my mindset at the moment.
Post Script… If y’all can pray for a special intention for me this month, I would greatly appreciate it.
Outside my window… sunny. It was in the 70’s today and apparently is supposed to hit 90F on Wednesday.
I am thinking… about all I have to get done tomorrow housework-wise.
I am thankful… my friend Liz who entered the Carmelites today.
In the kitchen… I’m smelling my mom’s salmon and broccoli.
I am wearing… charcoal shirt from Old Navy and jeans from Kohl’s.
I am going… down to Gilroy tomorrow for a doctor’s appointment. I’m hoping my bloodwork isn’t too bad…
I am wondering… how the my parents’ meeting on Wednesday will go.
I am reading…Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber if I remember to put my e-reader back in my purse.
I am hoping… some of the books I requested come into the library soon…
I am looking forward to… Morning Prayer and Bible study starting back up this week.
I am hearing… a fan. It’s kind of hot in here. We’re trying to figure out how to break it to Daniel that “warm spot” is not an option tonight.
A Daniel story for today… little boy was having lower G-I issues yesterday so we kept him home today. When the alarm went off for us to get up to go to my meeting this morning, kiddo was fast asleep and was very drowsy until we left! He was so adorable.
Around the house… oiling the wood on the doors and cleaning before the meeting on Wednesday. Fun fun fun.
One of my favorite things… air-conditioning. I’m wishing we had it.
A few plans for the rest of the week: cleaning, my doctor’s appointment tomorrow, knitting/crocheting group tomorrow, Morning Prayer/Bible study/choir on Thursday, and whatever else comes up.
World’s Strictest Parents. It’s been enlightening to see how some of the parents are able to work with the kids that are sent to them. It’s further evidence to me of the need for very strong boundaries and expectations.
Ocean Spray Cran-Raspberry Juice. The Cipro tastes foul and this masks the taste of it. Thankfully, I only have one dose of it left!
Three
Being able to breathe again. I didn’t realize how incredibly sick I was until I started feeling better. Last week was definitely scary on that front.
Four
Laura of Coptic Dad and Mom. Girlfriend mothered me by Facebook messenger and email all last week, making sure I was eating and getting medical treatment. Her title “tasoni” means “my sister” and she is truly a sister to me, which I appreciate more than she will ever know.
Outside my window… sunny. I think it’s supposed to get to 69F today according to Weather Underground.
I am thinking… about the wrap-up post on my Lent that I’ll be writing for Laura.
I am thankful… that Christ is risen and the world is different as a result.
In the kitchen… my dad will be making tenderloin tonight and we’ll probably have it with tater tots and caesar salad.
I am wearing… charcoal fitted shirt from Old Navy and khaki shorts from Kohl’s.
This morning’s Easter finery was a dress I got at Goodwill 6 years ago and have worn on a couple of other occasions. Don’t worry — I had a choir robe on over it for most of the morning so my shoulders were covered! (Pardon the messy room and unmade bed in the first picture.)
I am going… nowhere else today. I’m enjoying being home.
I am wondering… if Daniel is going to get my bronchitis.
I am reading…Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber. Calmness is being shelved for the moment.
I am hoping… that I’m DONE with this bronchitis. I had flare-up #2 while by myself with Daniel this past week and was panicking about what I would do if I had to go to the hospital. Thankfully, Symbicort and a monster dose of Cipro seem to be knocking this remnant out. I *NEVER* get as sick as I’ve been this month so it has been really scary.
I am looking forward to… not being this sick.
I am hearing… Enya on the stereo, Daniel playing some game with Enya on his tablet, and the dishwasher running.
A Daniel story for today… I came home from church to find my parents’ two cats “nannying” Daniel:
Around the house… renovation projects being completed.
A favorite quote for today…
One of my favorite things… Cadbury mini-eggs.
A few plans for the rest of the week: collateral services appointment tomorrow and games night on Saturday.
A peek into my day… Let’s just say that everyone is in agreement that I get to be the Easter Bunny again next year. (Yes, those are cans of Guinness in the Easter basket on the right. The recipient was over the age of 21 and allegedly doesn’t like sweets.)
Outside my window… dark. It was cloudy and around 71F earlier today. We had a couple sprinkles in my area and I think there was some rain in the hills.
I am thinking… that I’ll be happy with some more rain to tamp down the pollen. Everyone in the house who is awake is having to lie back propped up on pillows because we’re all coughing from allergies.
I am thankful… for a chance to be a reader for the Passion reading at the end of worship today. I did well enough that my priest is going to put me in the rotation to be a lector. Woohoo!!!
In the kitchen… my dad made steak tonight and it was incredibly tender. So good.
I am wearing… charcoal v-neck and black sweats. (I’m lying in bed in my jammies.)
I am going… to Target tomorrow for my prescriptions and some more cough drops!
I am wondering… when Jahi McMath’s family is going to accept that she is not going to wake up. I remember when her case happened in Oakland 2 years ago — there were pediatric intensive care specialists from all over northern California who were brought in to do tests (three who were not affiliated at all with the hospital) and all of them declared her brain dead. If they were to take her off of life support, she would be dead in a very short period of time. Her mom is arguing that her kid has the same rights as any other disabled kid and I understand her argument; but her “disability” isn’t the same as a kid who has cerebral palsy or Tay-Sachs or a kid who just needs oxygen at night. The machines are breathing for her and keeping her alive and at a prohibitively high cost of care. (Seriously, I don’t know how her family is affording that level of care.) It would be nore merciful to just her go gently into this good night… and I say this as someone who has had to sign paperwork for ECMO and who has watched their kid code.
I am reading…Calmness by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III. I’m only at about 20% completion so my Holy Week is going to involve a bit of reading!
I am hoping… this bleeping cough goes away!
I am looking forward to… quiet tomorrow while Daniel is at school.
I am hearing… my dad knocking on my bedroom door. He just handed me a bag of Ricola and told me to start sucking on those because obviously my cough drops aren’t doing squat for me!
A Daniel story for today… Kiddo ended up with contact dermatitis as a result of playing on grass in shorts for a long time on Friday. The hives are better but I feel so bad for the kid that it even happened!
Around the house… people trying to go to sleep. So far, I think only my mom and Daniel have succeeded!
A favorite quote for today… “If you’d like to experience a profound #passionlive, please attend a local Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, or other church for the Triduum.” — a tweet from Rev. Laurie Brock while she was live-tweeting “The Passion”
One of my favorite things… my parents’ grey cat Homer who was asleep on my bed up until a few minutes ago. (He had appointments…)
A few plans for the rest of the week: errands tomorrow, collateral services meeting on Tuesday, Morning Prayer with Stations of the Cross on Wednesday, possibly Maundy Thursday worship on Thursday (I would have to bring the kid and it’s during his bedtime), Good Friday worship at noon on Friday, and Easter Vigil on Saturday.
A peek into my day… regardless of whether or not you believe in evolution, this is an interesting video.
St. Patrick’s Breastplate. Happy St. Patrick’s Day, y’all! I thought I’d share the hymn form of St. Patrick’s Breastplate as it is a beautiful (but VERRRRRY long) hymn. Click here to read the whole prayer which is also quite long but very pretty.
Something penitential for meat eaters for today. 🙂 It’s not Friday so technically observant Catholics, Episcopalians, and some Lutherans aren’t having to abstain from meat… unless you went vegan like I did. I’m Irish-American, did my senior comps in college on Celtic Christianity, and have kissed the Blarney Stone so I’m treating today as a feast and *gasp* eating meat and having dairy. (Sorry, Laura.) As a penitential act for today (since, you know, I’m being a heathen and all), I’m listening to all of the videos on here, especially #6 and #7.
I knew there was a reason I kinda sorta like John Kasich. It turns out that boyfriend is Anglican and shares my view that it’s obnoxious to try and win votes using God’s name. I would rather see positive spiritual fruit in one’s life than have someone claim to be one on national television and see the opposite in how they treat people. (Ahem… Ted Cruz and Donald Trump.) I love also that Kasich is focused on living out Matthew 25 and not just on winning political office. It makes a difference to ne and this is why he would be the only Republican in the race for whom I would consider voting.
My scars are signs of life. A bunch of men and women bared their scars for everyone to see and explained the story of them. Mine would only all be visible if I was wearing a string bikini so we’ll just skip my c-section scar reveal even though that story is worth telling. Still, the account of each scar is worth a read and the video is worth a watch.
Passover Rube Goldberg-style. This is pretty amazing and would be a good tool to teach kids about the Passover story. Props to priest’s wife for sharing it with me on Facebook!
Why many women are skittish around men.This is a good read about why many women like me have no sense of humor when men make sexually-driven comments. Seriously, it pisses me off that I have to weave my keys between my fingers if I’m walking on the street to my car after dark in case someone decides to assault me.
Why victim-blaming falls apart. Two girls from Peru were traveling to Ecuador and were brutally murdered by two men they met, their bodies found several days later in plastic bags. In the midst of all the people decrying what happened were the people who were blaming the girls for their murder, saying that they put themselves at risk. A student from Paraguay thought this was incredibly wrong and wrote an account in the voices of the victims.
I share this because it pisses me off to no end that if I were to get raped, the first question would be “what were you wearing?” When we were doing the required self-defense class in high school so that we could fight off rapists and attackers, nobody ever mentioned teaching the boys not to rape. I shouldn’t have to be worried about walking down the street by myself or that some man is going to be turned on by what I’m wearing and decide to assault me. I mean, I have more than a few friends who were wearing a t-shirt and sweats when they were sexually assaulted!
We have a serious problem in our society when the victims of a crime receive blame than the person who committed the crime against them.
