SEven Quick Takes Friday Vol. XXII

I. 

OK, going to start w/ the complaints and then move on. PLEASE, in snow, with low visibility, put on your lights, and don't tailgate! Also use your turn signal! 

II. 

OK, done with that. Whew. The snow, thus far, is very big (one of my co-workers said the snowflakes were as 'big as potato chips'), and very fluffy and wet. So it isn't really packed down. I hear this will change as it gets colder. The weather guy, at this moment, is saying 5-8", which isn't as bad as a foot, or the THIRTY INCHES DC is predicted to get. Yowzers.

III.

So, from now until Sunday AM, I am not leaving my house. That means--books, food, and movies. Not necessarily in that order.

IV. 

I exercised THREE days this week so far! And the snow will not deter me--I have a pilates DVD and a Shape workout DVD (which is insanely hard, but...oh well). 

V. 

On the movie front, I have a ton to watch. (500) Days of Summer, Oliver Twist, Season 4 of House...I'm well prepared. I also have my biblical studies lectures to keep me busy. The next one is on the books of Chronicles. 

VI. 

Books of 2010: Into Thin Air and The Olive and the Caper, a Greek cookbook. It is a GREAT cookbook to curl up with and read, and provides lots of great recipes and menus. 

 I also started Jesus, Teach Us to Pray. Lent is upon us soon, so I think it's time to dive into some Lenten reading. I'll have more books on that when we get closer. 

VII. 

Still nothing on Titanic. But in voice I'm working on some Linda Eder pieces, including her arrangement of the classic "I'll Be Seeing You". It's a lot of fun. 

For more quick takes, head over to Jen's. 

Stay warm!

1001 Things

(stole this from Jane...well, most of it. Some ideas are mine, and I've eliminated things that don't apply to me at all. Like med school :)) Red are things I've done

January 1, 2010 – September 28, 2012

 1. Run a 5K (I've walked one) 

2. Run a 10K

 3. Run a ½ marathon 

4. Run a full marathon 

5. Lose 30 pounds 

6. Once a week, jot a note about something that makes me happy

 7. Leave a postcard inside a PS book

 8. Find a church I love 

9. Attend church 100 times 

10. Be credit card debt free 

11. Read the bible cover to cover (in the process...)

12. Grow fresh vegetables in my yard

 13. Fall hopelessly in love 

14. Donate 100 hours to charity each year

 15. Use my passport at least once 

16. Refresh my French to conversational ability 

17. Take a self defense class 

 20. Organize iTunes 

21. Organize old photos and get everything digitized 

22. Visit 6 new states 

23. Cut down a Christmas tree 

24. Cook a complete meal once a month 

25. Snail mail one card a week to various people

27. Clean out and organize garage 

28. Maintain garden 

29. Tip a server 100% 

 31. Find a mentor and work with him/her

 32. Get all A’s  (1st semester,sophomore year of college)

33. Ride in a hot air balloon

 35. Make bread from scratch

 37. Try yoga 

39. Watch 26 movies that each start with a different letter, A-Z that I have never seen before (this is way cool)

 40. Take 6 weekend trips to places I have never been before

45. Take a dance class 

48. Donate blood (can't, as we know my veins are AWFUL)

49. Build a headboard 

50. Purchase furniture I like

 51. Hang paintings I like  

53. Find out if I’m a CF carrier  (yes, I am. :-D)

54. End 1001 days with every article of clothing in my closet and drawers actually fitting

 55. Sleep under the stars 

56. Find out my blood type 

58. Pay for a random table’s meal 3x 

60. Go to Oktoberfest 

61. Vote in all major elections  (it's part of my job!)

62. Volunteer for a political campaign (again, part of my job)

63. Spa day – mani, pedi, facial, massage, blowout 

64. Go on a picnic

 65. Build a snowman 

66. Kiss in the rain (well, OK, snow)

68. Eat raw food only for 2 weeks

 69. Try rockclimbing 

70. Kiss under mistletoe

72. Develop relationship with all professors 

 74. Visit San Francisco 

75. Visit Virginia Beach

 76. Kiss someone I care about at midnight on New Year’s Eve 

77. Maintain blog as history of my life 

78. Finish thinking of 101 things I want to do...

And here are my additions:

79. Read all of Edith Wharton

80. GET my passport

81. Go to Europe

82. Finish my MA

Seven Quick Takes Friday--Vol. XVII

I.

First, the BIG NEWS: My best friend is getting married! She called me yesterday to tell me the news. I am so excited and happy for her and her fiance. They are a great couple.

II.

Other than that big news--thanksgiving was uneventful. I watched my high school band in the parade--they were the big purple group before Santa, weren't they great!?--made biscotti, and then headed over to my parents'. We watched Star Trek, had dinner from Bob Evans', and then played Apples to Apples. Dad won. It was a great day with lots of good food.

III.

It snowed last night. First snow of the season. It's mostly gone now, but there's still some wet powder clinging to my back porch. Hey, if the first snow of the year is on November 26, I'll take it.

IV.

I also have today off, so yesterday I was singing the "four days off! four days off!" song.

Can you tell I'm really excited about that?

V.

Bought House seasons 3 and 4 for $12 apiece this week, so I'm making my way through those.

VI.

Want an early Christmas miracle? I've been to the gym twice this week. And I'm going today.

Maybe I subconsciously knew my best friend was getting married, and I had a wedding to prepare for?  I mean, cute guys might be there.

VII.

Also making progress in my biblical studies class--planning on starting my second assignment today.

Oh, and the novel? Up to 159 pages.

Have a great Black Friday, y'all!

The Simple Woman's Daybook--November 23, 2009

Outside My Window ...

It's a gray day! But I got to wear my fun new navy peacoat, so that made it better. 

***

I am listening to...

My iTunes mix CD—Eagles, REM, Credence Clearwater Revival…good stuff.

***

To Live the Liturgy...

Mass as often as I can; Magnificat; Rosary

***

To Fit and Happy...

Gym. Sigh. And my pilates video.

***

I am thankful for...

A short week!

***

I am pondering ...

My next MA assignment for Biblical studies—outline of the Old Testament

***

From the kitchen ...

Pasta. Again. And making biscotti for Turkey day!

***

I am wearing ...

Gray pants; heater blue turtleneck; gray socks

***

I am creating ...

Christmas cards. Well  not creating them. Writing them.

***

On my iPod...

more "Messiah" and voice lesson music.

***

I am thinking...

That I am ready for some Turkey!

***

Around the House

Vacuuming, getting the table under control

.***

I am reading ...

Catherine of Sienna and The King's Good Servant, But God's First.

***

I am hoping and praying ...

for my grandpa.

***

On Keeping Home ...

Wrapping presents; digging out Christmas decorations.

***

One of my favorite things ...

singing

***

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Th: Happy Thanksgiving!

F: Dinner and movie with siblings

Sun: First Sunday of Advent! Messiah rehearsal

For more daybooks, go visit Peggy!

Food for thought--on theology

Over here.

A lot of threads

Recently I haven't been writing as much because I've been doing a lot of thinking. (I know, me, thinking, this is a shocking thing.)

There are so many things I want to finish--the book(s), my MA. I want to have order in my apartment and in life in general. I want to have a fruitful spiritual life. I want to do my job well, I want to be a good friend. There are lots of things I want. Of course a lot of these things also benefit others.

How do I make time for all of this?

I've been reading various blogs and websites, and I think I have a general idea. My time needs to be spent doing things that really contribute to my life goals--writing, music, prayer, study, being with my friends and family. Everything else is sort of....second. It's not that it's not important, it's just not as important.

Happy stuff!

(about time, right?)
Over here.

Surgery update

So, two days later--
Not feeling too bad. Yesterday the vicodin and my system played "hey, we don't like each other!" and I vomited a few times, but I also slept a lot. Today I feel pretty good--eating more milkshakes (McFlurry for lunch, go me), and relatively awake, so that's good. I'm going to do some biblical studies reading and then watch hockey tapes with my dad. That's a good day.
Oh, and a plug--this is one of the best things I have ever bought.

It holds my laptop, books, insulin pens, med bottles, pens and pencils, journals, and everything else I could need to lug around. This may become my permanent work/travel carry-on bag. And I got it in the above pattern, which is Imperial Toile--a lot prettier in person.
(OK product plug done)
So I am feeling better, the Pens AND Jackets won, and the Steelers are on tonight. Go Steelers!

Simple Woman's Daybook--September 22, 2009

Outside My Window ...

A gray day for the first day of fall. Leaves are already falling! A lot are turning gold and lighter green, with a few red leaves here and there. No rain today, but we had lots of it yesterday.

***

I am listening to...
The Dirty Dancing soundtrack (getting in touch w/ my 80s side)

***

To Live the Liturgy...

Rosary, Magnificat, Bible reading, classes

***
To Fit and Happy...

Gym yesterday--I've lost three pounds in a week! Ballet class tomorrow. (With hopefully more of the awesome company dancer as teacher we had last week?)

***

I am thankful for...
My family
***

I am pondering ...

What else I need to do for my parish council meeting tonight.
***

From the kitchen ...
Not much right now. Probably just spaghetti for dinner.

I am wearing ...

Boden skirt and top, grey pearl earrings that I bought in Duck.

***

I am creating ...
A CLEAN APARTMENT. REally it's coming along. And music.

***
On my iPod...
Everything is back! Yay!!!!

***

I am thinking...

that I'm excited for this evening.
***

Around the House

Vacuuming (again, always)...dusting a bit.

.***

I am reading ...

Just finished Moloka'i for facebook book club. Such a great read.

***

I am hoping and praying ...
For friends I know with cancer.

***

On Keeping Home ...

these candles look awesome. (keeping this link because they are awesome)

And MORE candles: these are what I'm burning right now.

*yeah, I really like candles*

Putting out my autumn Willow Tree Angel.

***
One of my favorite things ...
Fall, in general

***

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Tonight: Parish Council meeting

Wednesday: Ballet class, "Glee"!

Thursday: "Bones"!, voice lesson

***

If you like reading my daybook, you can find many more over at Peggy's!

Seven Quick Takes Friday--Vol. XI

I.

I cannot wait for Labor Day weekend--we're taking a trip to Pittsburgh to see the fam, and that means celebrating this little guy's first birthday (a bit late, but....he doesn't know that).

Is he NOT adorable?! That's my cousin Kelly holding him. She's a music (flute, specifically)/music ed major at Michigan. She's starting him early.

II.

The last time we saw the adorable Justin, he looked like this:

And that was just in May.

Don't they grow fast? Stop! Stop I say!

III.

OK, is that enough cuteness for y'all? I don't think it is, but you'll get more later.

IV.

Let's talk weather, huh? On the way home, I hit three downpours, and no it is lovely and sunny out. Welcome to Ohio. We're supposed to get more storms tonight and throughout the weekend, and it's going to be in the upper 60s. Bring on fall, I say!

V.

Corollary to that: High School football starts round here tonight. Go Tigers!

VI.

So, fall is back-to-school. And I am back-to-school, not just with my MA stuff (which is going swimmingly), but also with voice. I finally found a new voice teacher (after, oh, nine years?) and am starting my lessons w/ her next Thursday. We will meet for an hour a week.

Am I excited? You bet. I have a large bag of music I'll be tugging along with me, and it's got everything: Operas, arias, art songs, oratorios (i.e., stuff from "Messiah", like "O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion"), and the Ugly Yellow Italian Book of art songs that I sang in high school, but there are still a few pieces left to cover. So I am very excited. I'm hoping to learn a lot of new repertoire, vastly improve my ear again, and hone the technique. I have very modest goals. :)

VII.

Another great thing about fall? Fall clothes. I love sweaters, turtlenecks, corduroy, cashmere. Mmmmm soft and snuggle things. So bring on the falling leaves!

Simple Woman's Daybook--August 24, 2009

Outside My Window ...

It feels like fall. All my windows are open and I am very happy about this.

***

I am listening to...
the traffic on I-70, outside my window.

***

To Live the Liturgy...

Liturgy of the hours (I'm getting on board w/ this), Bible Reading, spiritual reading daily, rosary.

***
To Fit and Happy...

More gym, ballet classes start next week so thank God for that.

***

I am thankful for...
beautiful days like today.
***

I am pondering ...

What to do this evening. Other than sacraments class.
***

From the kitchen ...
Cowboy spaghetti, with meat, onions, hot sauce....we'll see how this goes.

I am wearing ...

jeans, a Life is Good long-sleeved shirt (bright pink)

***

I am creating ...
My memoir, which is coming, slowly but surely.

***
On my iPod...
The gym playlist.

***

I am thinking...
This weather is fantastic.
***

Around the House

Taking out the trash, dusting a bit.

.***

I am reading ...

A&J (because it will never end), Medjugorje: The Mission

***

I am hoping and praying ...
For some church friends who are battling cancer.

***

On Keeping Home ...

these candles look awesome. (keeping this link because they are awesome)

***
One of my favorite things ...
spaghetti; good friends

***

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Gym

Lunch w/ a friend from high school tmr.

Mass

Steel Magnolias auditions this weekend, Pickerington Community Theater

***

The Simple Woman's Daybook--July 27, 2009

For July 27, 2009:

(Geez, where did the month go?!)

Outside my window...
Another very pretty summer day here. Warmer--in the 80s.

I am thinking...
That I"m glad I went and got errands done even though I just wanted to come home.

I am thankful for...
Life.

From the kitchen...
an egg recipe from Julia later this week....nothing big tonight.

To live the liturgy:

Rosary, bible reading

I am wearing...

Gap jeans, Banana Republic t-shirt.

I am creating...
my memoir. It is going so well! I'm sort of freaked by how well it is going.

I am going to breathe deeply ...
And enjoy new things.

Bringing beauty to my home ...
Weekly Home Blessing Hour

I am going...

To listen to another Sacraments lecture tonight; write; read some of my new books

I am reading...

Abigail and John; Emma

I am hoping...
for another date (?)

I am hearing...
an iPod mix CD

One of my favorite things...
learning about new things.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Classes in general--gearing up for my Sacraments midterm

Gym in general

Sat.: All Day parish council retreat.

A picture thought I am Sharing:

The rainbow we saw in Tiff's back yard that night of my t/x party. :)

The Simple Woman's Daybook--July 20, 2009

For July 20, 2009:

Outside my window...
Blue sky with a few clouds, in the high seventies. Gorgeous, windows-down weather.

I am thinking...
That I am going to be productive today. Yes.

I am thankful for...
A wonderful vacation.

From the kitchen...
Julia Child's garlic soup.

To live the liturgy:

Magnificat, rosary, Sacraments class

I am wearing...

Black Ann Taylor shirtdress; pearls

I am creating...
my memoir. It is going so well! I'm sort of freaked by how well it is going.

I am going to breathe deeply ...
And enjoy summer!

Bringing beauty to my home ...
Weekly Home Blessing Hour

I am going...

To listen to another Sacraments lecture tonight; write; read some of my new books

I am reading...

A Man On The Moon; Abigail and John: Portrait of a Marriage; Spindle's End

I am hoping...
For a good week before vacation!

I am hearing...
an iPod mix CD

One of my favorite things...
traveling to new places, especially beaches

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Classes in general--gearing up for my Sacraments midterm

T: Pushing Daisies Season 2! Yay!

Th: Dance class @ BalletMet downtown

A picture thought I am

sharing:

Tiff and I with the cake she made me for my four year anniversary party on Saturday. It was wonderful! (The cake and the party)

The Simple Woman's Daybook--July 6, 2009

For July 6, 2009:

Outside my window...
Blue sky with a few clouds, in the low eighties. A very nice day.

I am thinking...
That I had a good gym workout today!

I am thankful for...
My family and my body (that it does what I want it to do, anyway)

From the kitchen...
I made shortbread last night. Yum.

To live the liturgy:

Magnificat, rosary

I am wearing...

Green Life is Good Creamy tee with a daisy applique; jeans

I am creating...
Added more chapters to L&A yesterday; will continue today

I am going to breathe deeply ...
And enjoy summer!

Bringing beauty to my home ...
Cleaning

I am going...

To listen to another Sacraments lecture tonight

I am reading...

Master and Commander; Mansfield Park; Mrs. Dalloway

I am hoping...
For a good week before vacation!

I am hearing...
an iPod mix CD

One of my favorite things...
my movie collection

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Classes in general--gearing up for my Sacraments midterm

W: Gym class w/ Mel

Sat: 4 year anniversary! Dentist/SAI Swim 'n Swell/Dinner w/ family

A picture thought I am sharing:

A photography from Luciano Photography that is over my bedroom desk. Inspiration to get to Paris. :)

Seven Quick Takes Friday--Vol. VI

I.

I hope a lot of you had a chance to read this entry. I'm pretty proud of it and glad that Hollywood has put a story about this family onscreen. Seeing it is a much more visceral experience than reading about it.

I've read a few articles about the movie, and then the comments following, online. And I've seen a few people ask why books and movies like this are even written, then degrading the emotions of people who read them to people who view pornography--they want some sort of emotional hit. I don't know what people's psychological reasonings are for reading these books, but I'm glad they do. My family, and all the other families whose lives are just like this, need people to understand. We're not looking for pity--that's an easy emotion--but for empathy, for people to understand.

Case in point--I love birthdays. A lot of people I know don't--they don't like being reminded that they're getting older. But I love it. Each birthday is another victory for me. It's another year I got to do things, to enjoy life. I love knowing that I'm racking up more experiences and having more time here. Maybe my blog, and movies and books like My Sister's Keeper, can help people understand how precious life is.

II.

Wow, that was a long quick take. So some shorter things to follow, like: what books I've been reading. An updated list: Robert Louis Stevenson's South Seas Tales; Richard Paul Evans' The Last Promise (love, love, love his books), and, of course, Jane. Mansfield Park being started today. I'm a bit behind in the re-read this year. Oh, and Mrs. Dalloway.

III.

New favorite TV show--Bones. If you follow me on facebook or twitter, you know this. But really, fantastic show. And interesting to me, from a theological perspective. One of the main characters, Agent Booth, is very, very Catholic. His partner, Dr. "Bones" Brennan, is not. In fact, she's an atheist. But there is definite chemistry between them. I'm planning something on Booth to have up at CPG at some point--hopefully later this weekend. He's really a fascinating study.

IV.

Speaking of theology--nearing time for my Sacraments mid-term, and my first assignment is due in Biblical Studies. We're just about to start Genesis in the latter.

V.

Next week is my four year anniversary! Can you believe it? To celebrate, I'm going to visit my cousin, Di, her husband, and her baby girl in Houston. Never been, but I hear it is hot, hot, and more hot. Thank God for air conditioning! We're thinking about visiting NASA, Galveston, and a host of bookstores. :)

VI.

It's Independence Day weekend--do you know your Declaration? Brush up on it here.

VII.

And a happy, happy Independence Day to all of you. Let's go out and celebrate "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness," eh? If you're in the mood for some patriotic movies, I suggest John Adams and The Patriot for some good viewing, especially John Adams. Phenomenal, and faster than reading the book. (I read the book. I liked it. But whew, it's long!)