Category Archives: Silicon Valley Girl

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: February 22, 2016

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY February 22, 2016

Outside my window… dark and in the low 50’s. It hit 71F this afternoon which is nice… but I still want some rain.

I am thinking… about what I have on tap this week. I’m *STILL* flattened from Saturday’s events.

I am thankful… that Saturday went off almost perfectly without any problems. For those not aware, I flew down to Ontario, met my twin brother at the airport (he had flown in from Tacoma) took a taxi to get the U-Haul truck, and found out upon arriving that they had given away our truck. We ended up having to take Uber from Ontario to Pomona, pick up the truck there, head to my in-laws’ house in Claremont, pack up my stuff, and drive the truck back up to San Jose. The U-Haul sitch stunk but it was what it was and they gave us a $50 credit which was way more than we needed for the Uber ride. I’m glad I got the extra time with Sean (my brother) as we don’t see each over very often and it was some good one-on-one time.

In the kitchen… Dad found me some *interesting* Tofurkey sausage so I had that for dinner and it was pretty good.

I am wearing… my Run for the Little Flowers shirt and black capri sweats.

I am going… to try and get to bed early tonight. Saturday still has me flattened.

I am wondering… about who will get the nomination from each party… and why we can’t just skip to that right now!

I am reading… Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber and Calmness by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III.

I am hoping… to get caught up on everything this week.

I am looking forward to… coffee on Thursday with Rebecca.

I am hearing… Dad watching TV.

A Daniel story for today… the little monster had a wonderful time playing Legos with Uncle Sean while I was at church yesterday. This warms my heart.

Around the house… the usual sorting/packing/painting.

A favorite quote for today…

Drama llamas beware!

One of my favorite things… iced vanilla lattĂ©s with whole milk. Easter cannot come quickly enough!

A few plans for the rest of the week: calls, coffee dates with friends, sorting slides for my parents, and whatever comes up for the kid.

A peek into my day…

If this video doesn’t make you smile, I doubt you have a soul.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

7 Quick Takes: Ruminations from My Hurting Brain

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Update on my fast. I’m still loving pita and hummus (and usually some carrots) for lunch and I’ve been doing tofu dogs and tater tots for dinner the last few days. I think the biggest thing is reminding myself that I could totally cheat when nobody is looking and have a frappucino but… I’m doing this to draw nearer to God at a time when I’ve got a lot of hard things going on in my personal life and said frappucino will still be there on Sunday. 🙂 I’ve fallen a couple times and had a few M&M’s (also known as “Daniel’s bribe to take his meds”) but that has been it.

— 2 —

CDC study in my backyard. OK… Palo Alto isn’t quite my backyard but… I knew some students at Palo Alto High School and Gunn so I feel like I can weigh in on the fact that the CDC is doing a study on teen suicides in Palo Alto. I could probably tell the CDC something that will save it money: I would put money on some of the suicides being caused by the insane pressure to succeed at both schools. Stanford University is local, it’s a wealthy school district so these kids have all the advantages in the world (hence, no reason why they don’t achieve magnificent things), and there are stories in the local paper about some student who gets a perfect score on the index for admission to the engineering program at Cal. They make my suburban high school (which is similarly high-pressure and which sends usually 10-20% of each graduating class to Cal) look like a bunch of slackers.

— 3 —

*facepalm* Maybe it’s just me but… WHAT ON EARTH POSSESSES PEOPLE TO TAKE A BABY DOLPHIN OUT OF THE OCEAN AND PASS IT AROUND FOR SELFIES?!?!?!?!?!? My brain hurts now…

— 4 —

Dying. If you don’t follow Honest Toddler on Facebook, you’re missing out on gems like this. I’m dying of laughter only because THIS IS MY KID AND IT’S ALL TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

— 5 —

Bravo, Apple. Considering that I am a PC person and the only Apple product I own is an elderly iPod Nano, I’m kind of shocked that I’m praising them but I love that they are saying “no” to the FBI request to create a backdoor into the iPhone. It shows a commitment to their customers and their privacy.

— 6 —

THIS. I’m loving the 8 signs that you love legalism more than Jesus and I’m seeing myself in my early convert days in this piece.

— 7 —

A thought on the debate over who should replace Justice Scalia. Maybe we should wait, out of respect for his family and loved ones, until AFTER the funeral and burial before we descend on his Supreme Court seat like a pack of hyenas?

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: February 15, 2016

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY February 15, 2016

Outside my window… dusk. According to Weather Underground, it was 77F today. I’m sure people on the east coast will throw things at me for saying this but… I miss rain and cold. It’s freaking February!

I am thinking… about my trip to southern California this coming weekend and various logistics associated with it.

I am thankful… for my dad working on mechanical engineering projects with Daniel (translation: playing Legos) while I slept this morning.

In the kitchen… tofu dogs and tater tots for me tonight. #lent #copticfast

I am wearing… burgundy Old Navy shirt and black capris.

I am going… to try and get some serious park time with the kid this week while he’s off of school for Winter Recess. I think it might rain on Wednesday or Thursday so that may not work.

I am wondering… if the kid will sleep through the night tonight. He was up at 6 or 6:30 this morning.

I am reading… Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber. My Lenten reading is Calmness by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III.

I am hoping… for decent sleep tonight.

I am looking forward to… seeing my brother this weekend.

I am hearing… Daniel being whiny. It’s kind of amazing how a largely non-verbal kid can whine!

A Daniel story for today… we ran into my priest at the grocery store today and Daniel charmed the pants off of her.

Around the house… the buzzer just went off for laundry and my dad was doing some stuff in the garage.

A favorite quote for today… “The Son of God did not want to be seen and found in heaven. Therefore he descended from heaven into this humility and came to us in our flesh, laid himself into the womb of his mother and into the manger and went on to the cross. This was the ladder that he placed on earth so that we might ascend to God on it. This is the way you must take.” — Martin Luther

One of my favorite things… getting my taxes done early.

A few plans for the rest of the week: intake appointment for mental health services tomorrow morning, meeting with a therapist on Wednesday morning, psychiatrist appointment for the kid on Thursday, and flying down to southern California to pick up my stuff from my in-laws on Saturday.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: Superbowl 2016 Edition

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY February 7, 2016

Outside my window… dark. It was in the 80’s today which is crazy for February in northern California. The Super Bowl was being played in my area so I have a feeling there were A LOT of prayers being lifted for good weather. The Blue Angels even decided to come party in my neighborhood… TWICE! #flyover #NorthernCaliforniaFTW

I am thinking… about how my week is looking and what I need to add to my planner.

I am thankful… for a relatively chill weekend.

In the kitchen… steak, baked potatoes, and caesar salad for dinner with spumoni and Lofthouse cookies for dessert. I think my parents have caught wind of my Lenten plans this year and are trying to make sure that the lead up to 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday is fabulous.

I am wearing… navy shirt and black capri sweats.

I am going… for a walk tomorrow morning if I’m not in too much pain. *shakes fist at fibromyalgia*

I am wondering… about how to best blog on this. I wrote about it in 2012 when the lawsuit was cleared to go to trial. I feel horrible for the woman’s daughter — how awful must it be to know (if nobody has told her yet) that her mother views her as an inconvenience and sued because she didn’t get to abort her? It’s not like the daughter isn’t going to discover all of this later on if she ever googles herself.

I am reading… Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber. I had to put A Lesson in Hope by Phillip Gulley down because it was due at the library and I also wasn’t in a good place mentally to read it. Lenten reading is shaping up to be Calmness by H.H. Pope Shenouda III and Seven Last Words: An Invitation to a Deeper Friendship with Jesus by James Martin, S.J. which just came out in February.

I am hoping… for some direction as to how my life should go.

I am looking forward to… Lent Madness! It is, like, SOOOOOOOOO much cooler than the Super Bowl.

I am hearing… the TV on in my mom’s office.

A Daniel story for today… when the little monster wakes up in the middle of the night (usually when I’m trying to fall asleep), he turns to me and says “hi” before demanding milk/cheese/my credit card.

Around the house… the hall got painted on Friday and I think my parents are painting the hall ceiling on Tuesday.

A favorite quote for today… “But it was true. I was constantly surprised how the storied names of biblical locales popped up in the most familiar of circumstances: on a simple map, on a graffitied street sign, or in everyday conversations. ‘The traffic to Bethlehem was terrible last night!’ said a Jesuit over dinner one night. Which still didn’t beat ‘Gehenna is lovely.'” — James Martin, S.J. in Jesus: A Pilgrimage (which I *HIGHLY* recommend if you need Lenten reading this year)

One of my favorite things… people-watching during worship. Anyone who has ever sat with me in church should not be remotely surprised.

A few plans for the rest of the week: crocheting while watching Super Bowl commercials, making phone calls on Daniel’s behalf, ashes on Wednesday, Bible study/choir on Thursday, and whatever else comes up.

A peek into my day… This is just funny. #HoneyBadgersFTW

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: January 31, 2016

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY January 31, 2016

Outside my window… sunny. The sun came out while I was at church this morning and it’s warm enough for shirt sleeves outside. Weather Underground says it’s in the low 50’s.

I am thinking… about the data I’m putting into spreadsheets for tax purposes. I’m trying to get them done super early in case we owe so that we have time to come up with the money.

I am thankful… for the lady in my Bible study who rang my doorbell on Thursday night and handed me $tarbux cards that she had gotten for being a science fair judge. She’s not a coffee drinker so she passed them on to me. I appreciate that she thought of me.

In the kitchen… nothing from scratch tonight. I’ll probably heat up something frozen.

I am wearing… a blue-green shirt and jeans.

I am going… to take Daniel for a haircut in a little bit. The local barber does well with him.

I am wondering… about a lot of things right now.

I am reading… A Lesson in Hope by Phillip Gulley. I’m hoping to pick Accidental Saints back up before too long.

I am hoping… my week goes well and I can get done what I need to get done.

I am looking forward to… the knitting/crocheting group that meets at my church this coming Tuesday night.

I am hearing… Daniel chattering.

A Daniel story for today… he will point to the CD player and say an approximation of “music”. There is one specific CD by Altan that he loves and that CD needs to be the first in the rotation. (He is *TOTALLY* my kid.)

Around the house… mom is painting, Dad is puttering, Daniel is playing, and I am doing taxes.

A favorite quote for today… “You know you’re an adult when you can be right without proving the other person wrong.” — #1 on this list.

One of my favorite things… club soda. It’s standing in for Coca-Cola right now.

A few plans for the rest of the week: haircut for the kid, intake interview for the group managing Daniel’s meds tomorrow, mental health screening for me on Tuesday (my doctor up here doesn’t prescribe psychiatric meds so I’m having to get a psychiatrist referral through the county), follow-up doctor’s appointment for my lab work on Wednesday, Bible study on Thursday, and whatever else comes up.

A peek into my day… Someone in the Temperature Blanket Group on Facebook was sharing about a woman whose kids took a crochet hook and a chain she had made and framed it for her. I thought it was a fabulous way of remembering her and remembering her crocheting.

A crochet hook and chain framed.

Post Script…

You have four days left to pick my Lenten discipline. As much as it seems like I’m making a game out of this, I have honestly been stretched and have grown because of the disciplines people have assigned me so go pick one for me! It’s also open to everyone regardless of religious tradition.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

7 Quick Takes: The News From Here

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Temperature afghan progress. I’m slowly but surely catching up and if I could drag myself away from Cross-Stitch World, I’d probably be making it more quickly. Maybe if I get home from choir in time, I can do some more work on it…

Progress as of today.

— 2 —

Concerning Donald Trump. I read two interesting articles concerning Donald Trump in the last few days. The first one was Matt Walsh: The Primer for Trump by Leticia Adams. The second was Donald Trump and a Tale of Two Gospels by Rachel Held Evans. I recommend both of them, not because I hate Matt Walsh and adore Rachel, but because I found them to be well-written and compelling.

— 3 —

Simcha! Simcha Fisher knocks it out of the park again with why she decided to stop homeschooling and finally got rid of all her homeschooling stuff. I’m not anti-homeschooling by any stretch of the imagination but she talks about keeping the stuff out of fear that she was making the wrong decision and that public schooling would ruin her kids. Fear isn’t a valid reason to make decisions and her kiddos are doing fine in their public and charter schools.

— 4 —

Oh thank heavens! After having to fight to get Daniel’s ADHD meds for the last three months, I finally have an intake appointment and psychiatrist appointment with a group that will do medication management for him. The difference between him medicated and him unmedicated is like night and day, so this was definitely a worthwhile fight for me.

— 5 —

Daniel story. My parents’ cat Jethro was in a fight last week and developed an abscess that wasn’t draining so he was at the vet on Monday and Tuesday where they eventually had to put him under anesthesia, open the abscess and drain it, and put stitches in. He has a lovely cone of shame to wear and my mom and I are having to clean the area and medicate him. Yesterday, Daniel wanted to look at pictures on my mom’s phone and my mom told him he needed to wait, using the words “first cat then phone.” (“First ____ then _______” statements are an ABA thing.) Daniel’s response: “Cat bye!” (Translation: “Take a flying leap, cat! It’s my turn.”)

— 6 —

Prerequisite weather take. I was hoping to go for a long walk tomorrow morning but it is looking like we might have rain. Oh well… I can work on entering receipts for taxes instead, I guess.

— 7 —

New Year’s resolution progress. One of my New Year’s resolutions was to get my prayer life back to normal. I’ve had some long drives this week for various things and it has definitely given me an opportunity to pray! Now if only I could get that integrated into my normal day…

— Bonus —

Pick Jen’s Lenten discipline. The raffle ends next Friday so come on over and enter! All that you have to do in order to enter is leave me a comment with what you would choose for me. Previous winners are allowed to enter again. *coughcoughcoughKellycoughcoughcoughBethAnnecoughcoughcough*

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: January 24, 2016

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY January 24, 2016

Outside my window… sunny after several days of heavy rain. It’s in the high 50’s and I took Daniel for a walk without a jacket.

I am thinking… about the income analysis and tax prep from which I am taking a break.

I am thankful… for the opportunity to be a part of the ordination of my parish’s deacon yesterday as a priest in the Episcopal Church. It was at Trinity Cathedral in downtown San Jose and it was fun to be part of the choir which had members from the different parishes with which she had been affiliated. There was no incense but we had serious organ music, a harp prelude from our administrative assistant who plays harp professionally, torchbearers, a crucifer from our parish, a verger making sure we were all where we were supposed to be, and the bishop presiding.

In the kitchen… probably leftover shrimp pasta from Friday night. I was too full from lunch yesterday to eat last night!

I am wearing… blue-green shirt and jeans. As is my usual custom, I am barefoot.

I am going… out later to get more wipes for Daniel.

I am wondering… if I can get the curating of Daniel’s exhibit file done tomorrow and set the date for the appeal.

I am reading… A Lesson in Hope by Phillip Gulley. Accidental Saints is still on hold.

I am hoping… to get all the income analysis done today so I can start doing the taxes once I get all of Jon’s W-2’s and 1099 statements.

I am looking forward to… Thursday morning Bible study with my ladies.

I am hearing… some Bach being played on my laptop.

A Daniel story for today… kiddo came to me last night and said, “Mama, beyuh.” (Translation: “Mama, bed.”) I asked if he wanted to snuggle up under the fleece blanket with me out in the living room to fall asleep and he said, “No, beyuh.” So I went and tucked him (and myself) into bed. I thought I’d be getting up later and working on the income analysis but I fell asleep instead!

Around the house… Mom is painting, Dad is in the kitchen, and I’m in the living room with Daniel.

A favorite quote for today… “God’s grace is not defined as God being forgiving to us even though we sin. Grace is when God is a source of wholeness, which makes up for my failings. My failings hurt me and others and even the planet, and God’s grace to me is that my brokenness is not the final word … it’s that God makes beautiful things out of even my own sh*t. Grace isn’t about God creating humans and flawed beings and then acting all hurt when we inevitably fail and then stepping in like the hero to grant us grace – like saying, ‘Oh, it’s OK, I’ll be the good guy and forgive you.’ It’s God saying, ‘I love the world too much to let your sin define you and be the final word. I am a God who makes all things new.'” — Nadia Bolz-Weber

One of my favorite things… my daily lattĂ© from $tarbux and the people who have been sending me money on Paypal to fund my habit.

A few plans for the rest of the week: curating Daniel’s SSI file on Monday, possible coffee with Rebecca on Tuesday, Bible study and choir on Thursday, and whatever else comes up.

Post Script…

I fixed the Rafflecopter box for those who want to pick my Lenten discipline. It’s open to everyone regardless of their religious tradition.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.