7 Quick Takes: 17 Years of Blogging!

7 Quick Takes

July 19th was my 17th blogiversary and it passed quietly because of school and things in my personal life. As a way of ignoring the crappy health news I got today, here are are some ways my life has changed since I started blogging on July 19, 2000.

— 1 —

I’ve come full-circle in terms of relationships. When I started this blog, I was dating Jon. Then we went through our long engagement, marriage, a short separation, and now divorce. It’s a painful realization in a lot of ways but it also provides me with a record of the good times that I can look back upon eventually.

— 2 —

I have lived in five states. I had spent my life in California and was living with my parents over the summer before my senior year of college. Since then, I have lived in: Ohio, Minnesota, Montana, California (again), and now Washington. I’m glad to have had these experiences in seeing how people across the country live.

— 3 —

I am no longer vegetarian. I added meat back into my diet in December 2000 and while I don’t eat a lot of it, I have not given it up again except for Lenten purposes.

— 4 —

I have stopped coding largely by hand. For the first year, I coded by hand and then went to Livejournal, two iterations of Greymatter, Movable Type, back to Greymatter, b2, and then WordPress 12ish years ago. It’s good to know how to do some of it still so I can fix sidebars but I’d have to learn PHP to be able to create my own themes.

— 5 —

I’m Episcopalian again. At the time I started blogging, I was attending my Episcopal church at home and then attending an evangelical church at school. Eventually, I attended an LCMS church, went ELCA for 10 years, AALC for three years, and then became Episcopalian again.

— 6 —

I have 1.5 degrees and am getting another one. I graduated with my B.A. 11 months after starting the blog, worked on an MTS, and am now doing an ATA.

— 7 —

I’m missing a body part or two. I gave up my gallbladder in 2005 and there is less liver than there was originally due to scar tissue from the gallbladder issues.

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: August 1, 2017

For Today… August 1, 2017

Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window… dark. It’s supposed to start getting hotter until temps peak in the high 80’s/low 90’s on Wednesday or Thursday. Oh freaking joy…

I am thinking… about my Interpersonal Communications homework that is due on Wednesday night. I have the second of two chapters left to read and then the quiz, the reports, and journals to complete. If I can get the reading done tomorrow, I can take the quiz and try to get the rest of the writing done tomorrow night, leaving me 24 hours before the due date in case of emergencies.

I am thankful… for this piece by Simcha Fisher. Many people have no idea what true poverty looks like and they need to check their privilege. Then again, most people who get cranky about this piece don’t give a rat’s butt about the idea of privilege so I guess I’m just preaching to the choir?

One of my favorite things… chewing ice. It’s a bad habit but a comforting one, having been through two abdominal surgeries and having a GI tract that gets cranky.

I am wearing… jammies. My Online Debate Team shirt (so many people on the Internet are wrong-headed) and black sweats.

I am creating… this post and one for my 17th blogging anniversary which was July 17th.

I am listening to…delta waves music on YouTube to try to get to sleep.

I am hoping… General John Kelly can get the White House and Trump administration in general under control. It’s been daily scandals since January 20th and the voters who elected 45 in November should be ashamed of how they’ve effed up the country.

I am learning… about emotion and language in communication.

In my kitchen… Chinese food from Haggen.

In the school room… Daniel is off until September. I need to get some dry-erase markers so he can practice his penmanship.

Post Script… I had no idea this existed!

Shared Quote… “Prudence means practical common sense, taking the trouble to think out what you are doing and what is likely to come of it.” — C.S. Lewis

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: July 26, 2017

For Today… July 26, 2017

Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window… dark. It was sunny with temps in the upper 70’s today and was pretty uncomfortable to sit in the sun!

I am thinking… about culture and non-verbal communication.

I am thankful… for Senator Tammy Duckworth speaking out today on 45’s decision to bar transgendered soldiers from the military. I tend to listen to her over 45 because she’s actually *SERVED* (and in a war with which she disagreed) and she gave her legs and the use of one of her arms in combat.

In case you don’t know how awesome she is, watch this:

One of my favorite things… ice chips. I have a bad habit of chewing them.

I am wearing… jammies. I was wearing a black fitted tee and jeans earlier.

I am creating… this entry.

I am listening to… Daniel babbling.

I am hoping… my kiddo goes to sleep soon.

I am learning… about the self and communication. It’s fascinating stuff!

In my kitchen… Mom was making pesto earlier with basil from the garden.

In the school room… Daniel has 1 day of ESY left.

Post Script… this is pretty amazing. Concertgoers at Hyde Park in London gathered to see Green Day perform but grew so sick of waiting for them to get on stage that a mass singalong of “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen took place.

Shared Quote…

Why we should care

A moment from my day… Some songs from middle and high school that popped into my head.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

7 Quick Takes: Needeh Grey Kitteh Edition

7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Needeh kittehs. Homer is being excessively needy today, which is something considering how needy he is normally. He has been on my lap a few times today and is currently causing me to type this one-handed so I can pet him.

— 2 —

Helping house panthers. If you’re a lover of the black kittehs like I am, go here to look at cat pictures, help with psychological research, and help the black ones (who are the least likely to be adopted) find homes.

— 3 —

Penguins, man. I had to laugh when I got this Facebook message on my wall this week…

Penguins, man.

— 4 —

For all you poetry lovers out there… I tested this on a couple other Emily Dickinson poems just to be sure. 😀

Emily Dickinson to the tune of a well-known TV theme...

— 5 —

Prayer request. If y’all could pray for a special intention, I’d be seriously happy. Please and thank you!

— 6 —

Ouchie! I went to the beach on Monday in new water shoes that were not tight enough on my heels and between all the sand and water that got in there, I ended up with some pretty foul blisters. They’re bad enough that I’ll be in flip-flops for at least the next few weeks.

— 7 —

John McCain. Samantha Bee put it best when she said last year that an election is usually between two fundamentally decent people with a difference of opinion. (Obviously, 45 is an exception to this rule.) John McCain is a decent human being who has served his country both in the military and in Congress. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. (He is also one of only two Republicans for whom I have voted — I voted for him in the primary in California in 2000 to try and knock Bush Jr. out of the race.)

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: July 17, 2017

For Today… July 17, 2017

Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window… dark. It was nice and sunny today with temps in the mid 70’s. At the beach, it was lovely.

I am thinking… about the two journal entries, report, and quiz I have due on Wednesday night.

I am thankful… for time with a dear friend today.

One of my favorite things… walking in the water on the beach.

I am wearing… jammies. I was wearing my shirt from VBS this morning with jeans capris from Fred Meyer. In the afternoon, I was wearing swim suit pieces from L.L. Bean and Lands’ End.

I am creating… this blog post. 🙂

I am watching… COPS. It’s a guilty pleasure.

I am hoping… to get everything essential done tomorrow for my classes.

I am learning… about interpersonal communication and social media.

In my kitchen… Dad made shrimp pasta last night.

In the school room… Daniel is loving ESY.

Post Script… This is really worth watching!

Shared Quote…

True dat.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: July 4, 2017

For Today… July 4, 2017

Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window… sunny and in the mid to high 70’s here. It’s 10 degrees warmer in San Jose and 20 degrees warmer in Claremont, making me thankful that I’m not in either place!

I am thinking… about my class that starts tomorrow. I just printed out my syllabus and the due dates page.

I am thankful… that my favorite farm shop had a couple apple pies for today and that the owner’s daughter set one aside for me. I normally hate pie but their pies are AMAZING.

One of my favorite things… A/C. It’s actually nice out but my room is on the second floor so I’d be pretty hot without it.

I am wearing… an Old Navy flag shirt and black capris from Kohl’s.

I am creating… this blog post. 🙂

I am listening to… classical music coming up from the family room downstairs.

I am hoping… I can get through outlining the Business English book this summer. I really want to challenge the class!

I am learning… about aspects of interpersonal communication.

In my kitchen… hot dogs and salad for dinner tonight with apple pie for dessert.

In the school room… Daniel has one more week until extended school year (ESY) starts.

Post Script… this is painful but worth reading.

Shared Quote… “You don’t always have a complete set of options.” I don’t remember why she said it or what the issue was but I’ve parroted these words from my wise friend Eileen a bunch of times.

A moment from my day… Many of my friends have shared this image on Facebook today…

Treason Day

Closing Notes: Here are the rules for displaying the flag today.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: June 28, 2017

For Today… June 28, 2017

Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window… dark. It’s late at night and I’m blogging out my brain. It’s supposed to be in the low 70’s today.

I am thinking… about things in one of my relationships.

I am thankful… Daniel’s fever is (likely) gone and the trip to Urgent Care wasn’t bad.

One of my favorite things… sleep. I’m probably out of luck tonight though.

I am wearing… black fitted tee from Old Navy and navy blue/white striped pajama bottoms from Target.

I am creating… this post.

I am listening to… one of my favorite piano pieces.

I am hoping… to get to sleep soon after I post this.

I am learning… balance. I’m in a static situation at the moment though there is a great deal of fluctuation within that situation. It’s a weird paradox.

In my kitchen… figuring out what to cook for myself. I’m thinking something from The Lemon Bowl? We made a couple of her recipes for Father’s Day and they’re worth repeating.

Post Script… something for the cat lovers.

Shared Quote… From CarouselConductor, a poster in one of the subreddits I frequent:

Loss. Whether a death, estrangement, or any other kind.
Losing someone leaves a hole. This hole is in the shape of the person who is gone. It has ragged, bleeding edges that hurt with every movement. It’s hard to even consider this void, because even looking at it brings pain. All you can do is hope that something fills it in, because it’s too wide. Too deep. Too open.
And then time passes. You remember the person, talk about them, the good times, the bad. The bleeding edges are still painful, but somehow, you can approach them a little closer. It’s tender, but the bleeding has been slowed. The void is keenly felt, and you wonder what it will take for it to just go away.
More time passes. It’s not so bad, when you look at the hole, now. You might be wondering when it will fill in. If you get too close, you can still see the echo of the person who left the hole. Peering into it might still be too much, and nothing moves the same way anymore. But the bleeding has stopped and the pain isn’t there every time you move.
As even more time goes by, you start to realize that things feel different, but that raging pain is more of a distant ache, now. If you look at the hole, you find that the edges are scarred over. The void is still there. The shape of what made it is still recognizable. And then you realize that the hole is there, and it will always be there.
The topography of what makes you, you, has changed.
The ragged edges have healed over and you find that in that thing you thought was a bottomless pit of pain, there is now a well of memories. It’s up to you if you visit for a time, or simply walk on by.
Give yourself time for the hole to heal. And it will heal, regardless of abstracts like forgiveness, regrets, blame, or anger. Even if it doesn’t seem like it.
Please seek help when dealing with the trauma of loss. No one should go through grief alone.

Closing Notes: My kickboxing class was cancelled for the fall and they emailed me today to let me know that I have priority enrollment for a yoga class they are adding.

*facepalm*

My mom laughed at me when I told her, commenting that it’s another form of stress management. I looked at her and replied that I have a deep need to punch and kick things and they just took away my ability to do this!!!!

*goes off to sulk and find a local kickboxing class*

Hosted by The Simple Woman.