Category Archives: Reece’s Rainbow

7 Quick Takes: Back to Normal This Week

Posted on by

7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

I’m taking part in Run for Courage on Saturday. We’re raising money for organizations that help victims of sex trafficking become whole again. You *know* you want to sponsor me. And no, I’m not running. My philosophy on these things is “I only run when chased” and I have a feeling that if I tell that to the leader of our team, she’ll chase me for 3 miles. (She’s a half-marathonner. I put nothing past her.)

— 2 —

You see that cute little boy on my sidebar? His name is Brett and he needs a mama. Are you possibly his mama? Go check out his profile and show him some love.

— 3 —

We’ve had a pretty interesting discussion on social services going on here since my Quick Takes last week. We’ve talked about problems with various social programs, discussed experiences, talked about solutions, and I hope this series of posts has been a starting place for some conversations about “the 47%”. My offer still stands: if you have experience (life or otherwise) in this area, I’d love a guest post. My email address is jen at grace-filled dot net.

— 4 —

I had a guest post this week over at Life Happens When. Go on over and read how life happens when you have a premature baby. There’s a lovely picture over there of me asleep with Daniel in the NICU.

— 5 —

Holy NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles season premieres, Batman! Those were some amazing season premieres. I like NCIS as a show more than I like the spin-off so I probably enjoyed that one more though I did like the complete twist at the end of NCIS: Los Angeles. On Wednesday morning as I was sleepily putting Daniel’s lunch together for school, it struck me that there are some parallels between ghost in C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce and the villain episodes leading up to the season finale and then the season premiere for this season of NCIS. Both the ghost and the villain lost sons and allowed their grief to cloud their judgement. This clouded judgement resulted in them both making foolish decisions. In the case of the ghost, she gave up heaven. In the case of the villain, he planted bombs on Navy ships, blew up the NCIS building on the Navy yard, killed an FBI team trying to take him down, and ended up losing his life at the end of the episode.

— 6 —

To the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee: you both suck. There were ten straight smear ads on in the three minutes before the NCIS season premiere started. 10 of them. Have I mentioned that they only covered three Congressional races? Yeah, I’m serious. Both of those groups sponsored the ads and it was actually split 50/50 down the middle. To both groups: those ads are bad for our souls. Either find something positive to say about your candidate or accept that a lot of us will be flipping channels. To the DCCC: I want the money I contributed to you back.

— 7 —

I want autumn to come. It’s supposed to be in the high 90’s this weekend. I wish I could magically be transported to New England or the Upper Midwest where the leaves are changing, the nights are cold, and the temperatures during the day aren’t horrific.

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

7 Quick Takes: Allergies, Cooking, and Camp Patton

Posted on by

7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

I blogged on what you don’t see when you look at me for Invisible Illness Week. I try not to complain about my fibromyalgia too much because there are so many people in my life with worse ailments or who are waiting for organ transplants. Still, this week is a reminder that there are many illnesses that are just as debilitating as those that land people in wheelchairs.

— 2 —

Want to help victims of sex trafficking become whole again? I’m participating in the Run for Courage on September 29th to help raise money to do just that. I invite you to sponsor me at http://engage.runforcourage.org/goto/khouriajen.

— 3 —

Am I being clear enough?

Go away!

Just checking.

— 4 —

Daniel said “bye” to his teacher for the first time ever last Friday. This earned him thunderous applause from Daddy, a hug from his teacher, and thunderous applause/hugs and kisses from me. On Monday, he didn’t say “bye” but he waved for the first time ever.

— 5 —

I just realized I have cooking to do tonight. Thankfully, it’s pretty easy — boil water, cook orzo, toss with some defrosted pesto/feta cheese/sundried tomatoes. I usually put kalamata olives in as well but I’m trying to make it Daniel-friendly as I’m taking it to his school picnic tomorrow. (Just finished. It’s pretty quick if you can get the pesto defrosting while the orzo is cooking.) I also had laundry to cycle through.

— 6 —

Do you see that incredibly cute little boy on my sidebar? His name is Brett and he needs a mama. Could that mama be you??? Hop on over to his profile and get to know him. While you’re there, would you mind adding a little bit to his adoption grant so his forever family can take him home? Please and thank you!

— 7 —

Did I mention how much I love Camp Patton? I had read Grace’s blog on a few occasions but about a month ago, I read a good chunk of her archives while fighting some insomnia. She is incredibly funny and snarky — a double threat. Her husband Simon is an ob/gyn resident and says some *interesting* things. She’s also apparently hosting Quick Takes this week.

For more Quick Takes, visit Grace at Camp Patton.

7 Quick Takes: Haircuts and the Run for Courage

Posted on by

7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

I’m taking part in the Run for Courage on September 29th. I had been hearing about it from Daniel’s former physical therapist and I decided to do the 5K and walk it. I’ve been a supporter of International Justice Mission for years and this deals with restoring and healing girls who have been trafficked for sex, including in the USA. My donation URL is: http://engage.runforcourage.org/goto/khouriajen. My fundraising goal is $200 and I’ve raised $90 thus far. Please share my fundraising URL and let people know about this.

— 2 —

To those who don’t like my Obama button: suck it up! I’m not commenting on your site and telling you what I think about your decision to back Romney — I might disagree with you but you have a right to vote for the candidate of your choosing and to post whatever political buttons you want on your blog. Kindly show me the same respect. Also, your comment isn’t going to show if I haven’t approved a comment of yours before so please stop leaving me variations on the same comment until I approve your comment. If 24 hours have gone by and I haven’t approved your comment, assume that I might not have seen it yet. (I do have a three year old and a life.) If 48-72 hours go by and it isn’t up, you can safely assume that I think you are a raving lunatic and you have no snowball’s chance of having your comment(s) approved. If your comment is a diatribe longer than the actual post on which you are commenting, your comment will be deleted.

— 3 —

Daniel is back in his class from last year and all is well. His old teacher and aides are happy to have him back and he knew *EXACTLY* where he was on Wednesday when he came back to school after his 4-day weekend. He belly-laughed for his teacher for the first time today and it was so awesome for her to hear. I’m glad the temper tantrum I threw fuss I raised last week was worth it. They’re going to start him working with a PECS board and train us on it next week.

— 4 —

The TV sitch was better during the DNC this week. Instead of not showing things on the schedule, CBS just moved them by an hour (i.e. NCIS was on at 8 instead of 7). Well played, CBS. Thankfully, I got the syndicated episodes of The Big Bang Theory at 7 p.m. so I had something to watch instead of just Judge Judy. Boo yah!

— 5 —

I’m pleased with how my hair turned out. It ended up chin-length instead of just at my shoulders but it still looks good.

Me asleep with Edda

— 6 —

Still editing devotions. I’m effectively done with Luke for the moment. I have what is looking like 4-5 to write on my own for Luke (replacing someone who couldn’t finish theirs) and whatever Jon can’t finish of his list. I’ll start formatting Acts once I get my passel of devotions done.

— 7 —

You see that cute little boy over on my sidebar? He needs a mama. Mind praying that we can find one, donating toward his grant, or even considering adopting him? He’s cute and I’m not just saying that because I’m his Guardian Angel. 🙂

— Bonus —

Kara posted a picture of Wren on her Quick Takes. Ten year olds should not look like that — she’s being abused and needs out of wherever she is NOW. There’s no donate link on her page but could y’all pray that we can get her out of that situation or even consider adopting her?

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

7 Quick Takes: Reasons You Should Come Hang Out Online With Me Tomorrow

Posted on by

7 Quick Takes

So tomorrow (or today if you see this on Friday) is Brett’s Blogathon 2012 and I’ll be blogging for 24 hours straight on things starting with the letter B. Here are 7 reasons to come join me and make a donation.

— 1 —

The funds go toward helping Brett’s adoptive mommy and daddy bring him home. Is this not a cute kid?

Brett

Let’s talk about getting him to the States so he can have some physical therapy and stop having to crawl everywhere.

— 2 —

I might actually post a webcam video of me doing something embarrassing hilarious. C’mon… YOU KNOW you want to see me dancing the Timewarp at 3:00 a.m. or singing camp songs at 5 a.m. to keep myself awake. No promises that I’m going to do any of that — it’s a small house and I’d like both Jon and Daniel to get adequate sleep — but something cool might get posted and you don’t want to miss that, especially if it might be useful for future blackmail. 🙂

— 3 —

My evil twin is guest-posting and talking about beer-making. You think *I’m* delightfully snarky? I don’t hold a candle to him! And yes, he is seriously talking about beer-making, which is one of his hobbies. My task tonight is shrinking the pics he sent me of the process.

— 4 —

I’m giving away an Amazon.Com gift card to a lucky donor. It’s not a Keurig or a Kindle Fire but it will enable you to buy books, music, household appliances, or anything else that Amazon.Com sells. It’s not based on your donation amount so you could actually end up coming out ahead on this.

— 5 —

Brett’s mommy and daddy are out there somewhere and they need to see him. Seriously, I fully believe that Brett’s adoptive parents are out there somewhere and that they could possibly find him via my Blogathon for him. If you visit, make a donation and let people know what’s going on over there.

— 6 —

What else are you going to do on a Friday night? It’s not like the Olympic opening ceremonies are on or anything. Oh wait, they are. Darn! Still, you should totally come on over and see what I’m posting. It might be something interesting to do during the Parade of Nations when some unpronounceable country is parading through.

— 7 —

Again, someone needs to get to the States for care. Dude… this kid needs a mommy and a daddy. He also needs physical therapy for his CP. Let’s look at Brett again.

Brett!

Can you really say “no” to this kid?

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

Publicity Blitz

Posted on by

OK… here’s the sitch. Brett’s Blogathon 2012 is on Friday and I need some publicity… fast. I’m willing to put up a $20.12 Amazon.Com gift card to someone who is willing to do one or more of the following:

1.) Mention it on your blog.
2.) Mention it on your Facebook.
3.) Mention it on Twitter.
4.) Mention it on any other social media that you are part of.

The details are thus:

Site: Blogging for Brett — http://peacefulwaters.org/brett
Time: 7/27 @ 700 PDT to 7/28 @ 700 PDT
What: 24 hours of blogging to raise money for Brett’s adoption account.

Leave me a comment telling me what you have done and you’ll be entered into a drawing for the gift card. You get one entry per thing on the list that you have done.

7 Quick Takes: Big Brother, Roasting Beasts, and Not Reading 50 Shades

Posted on by

7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

To those of you trolling the “Catholics for Choice” group on Facebook: CUT IT OUT! I’m aware that you feel that they’re raging heretics and hypocrites and you’re entitled to that opinion. I’m not going to argue with you on that one. What I will argue with you on is the efficacy of getting yourselves banned from the group. All you’re doing is giving them ammo to say that pro-life Catholics are intolerant, so cut it out! It’s also really bad manners.

— 2 —

REMINDER: Brett’s Blogathon 2012 is next Friday. It goes from 7 a.m. on Friday the 27th to 7 a.m. on the 28th over at Blogging for Brett. I’ll have information on how to donate on a sticky post at the top of the blog during the event.

— 3 —

Big Brother is back on. I don’t have a contestant I dislike thus far as much as I disliked Rachel on the last two iterations but Mike Boogie is starting to be a contender. I’m glad Frank got HOH for this coming week though — it will be interesting to see if he puts Willie up.

— 4 —

My evil twin and hopefully my sister-in-law are coming over for a barbecue on Saturday. If Jeanette (my sister-in-law) is coming, I’ll be needing to find a My Little Pony to put on her birthday cake as well as acquiring some cake mix. I also have to figure out the menu which means figuring out which beast to roast and how I want to roast it.

— 5 —

Going back to #1, I got a call from Planned Parenthood a few weeks ago. It was interesting because I never heard from them during the years when I was sympathetic to them. (I’m not unsympathetic to their practice of providing care to impoverished women — I’m just not in favor of abortion.) I’m guessing that they got my name from the campaign to take down Dan Lungren (my Congresscritter who I loathe because he’s a tool, not because he’s Republican). I don’t know exactly what they were calling about because after the person explained who they were, I politely said, “I should probably tell you that I’m pro-life and I’m not really interested.” I said good-bye and hung up. I’m sure there are some who would argue that I should have tried to debate with them but I had the bear child clamoring for my attention and I had no desire to pick a fight with someone who was probably trying to be nice and volunteer their time for their charity of choice.

— 6 —

Facebook had an interesting Yusef/Cat Stevens question this week. The question was which song you’d want to hear if he ever toured again and sang his secular stuff. It was interesting because a number of my Facebook friends commented who had absolutely no connection to each other. (My answer, by the way, is “Peace Train”.) I still can’t listen to “Moonshadow” with a straight face after the parody someone did on Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me after Cat Stevens was taken off a plane in Maine for being on the no-fly list. “I’m being followed by an air marshall/Air marshall/Air marshall…”

— 7 —

I finally had a parishioner ask about 50 Shades of Grey today. She couldn’t understand why I was laughing so hard until I explained about the review that described it as “Twilight with spanking and no sparkly vampires”. What I told her was that she’s an adult and can read whatever she wants but I didn’t think it would benefit her Christian witness. It was at that point that I found out that she had joked about me having it on my NOOK during Bible study that morning. Yeah… not so much. 🙂 I’m generally not into reading whatever is popular with the exception of the Harry Potter books. I didn’t read the Twilight books until they had been out for awhile.

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: July 16, 2012

Posted on by

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY July 16, 2012

Outside my window… dark and actually chilly with a breeze. I guess we’re supposed to be getting a storm in?

I am thinking… that I need to get up and get some stuff off the bookshelf but I’m also really tired. I really need to learn telepathy.

I am thankful… that it has cooled down a lot. I wasn’t looking forward to triple digits this week.

In the kitchen… good question. I need to go make myself some dinner.

I am wearing… gray maternity shirt and boxers.

I am creating… various things for Brett’s Blogathon 2012

I am going… to hopefully be able to avoid UCD Medical Center this week.

I am wondering… what tomorrow will hold for me.

I am reading… Death on Demand by Carolyn Hart. I haven’t really done reading lately.

I am hoping… Daniel is able to sleep off his fever tonight and can go to school tomorrow so I’ll get to go to Morning Prayer. (Selfish I know, but it’s keeping me sane at the moment.)

I am looking forward to… my massage on Friday and a BBQ with my brother (and hopefully my sister-in-law) on Saturday.

Around the house… the usual Cheerios tornado.

I am pondering… too many things mentally. I might have to journal them out of my brain.

A favorite quote for today… “Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.” — C.S. Lewis

One of my favorite things… Coca Cola

A few plans for the rest of the week: Morning Prayer if I don’t have a sick kid, massage on Friday, and time with the evil twin on Saturday.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook