The Simple Woman's Daybook--April 12, 2010

 

 

Outside my window:

Bright and sunny--low 70s. Perfect. My office went out to lunch in honor of my birthday and we ate outside! I could get used to all this al fresco dining.

I am wearing: 

gray scoop neck top, a gray heather skirt, and I have kicked off my red flats. :) Oh, and my Tiffany key necklace.

I am thankful for:

my friends

I am reading:

The Last Lecture

From the kitchen:

Quesadillas (tonight), spaghetti (tomorrow), burgers (W). Not sure about the remainder of the week. 

I am thinking:

That it is so beautiful outside!!

I am creating:

A clean apartment.

On my iPod:

Oliver!

Toward rhythm and beauty: 

Cleaning the tub and bathroom mirror; sweeping/mopping kitchen floor. 

To Live the Liturgy: 

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!!!

I am hoping and praying:

for my grandfather. (still)

Around the House:

See above. :)

One of my favorite things:

Spring!!!!!!

A few plans for the week:

Th: Voice

Sat.: Birthday dinner w/ my friends!

A picture I'm sharing:

The communications office at lunch today.

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!

The Simple Woman's Daybook--January 24, 2010

Outside My Window::

Dark, raining, but snow is gone!

I am wearing ::

A J. Jill camisole, Life is Good shorts

I am Thankful For::

A nice weekend

I am Reading:

Traveling with Pomegranates

From the Kitchen::

Just made these muffins--very good. Other things this week: a chocolate pound cake, chicken  piccata, and a new pasta recipe.

I am Thinking:
That I am ready for this week

I am Creating::
My memoir. It's 100 pages now!

On my iPod::

Titanic soundtrack (broadway show)

Towards Rhythm and Beauty:
I vacuumed, unclogged the shower, and did a bunch of dishwasher loads. The place looks pretty good.

To Live the Liturgy:

Liturgy of the Hours, in the first Ordinary Time book. Back to green vestments.

I am Hoping and Praying:
For a good audition tomorrow.

Around the House:

Always--the kitchen table. 

One of My Favorite Things:

Books

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:

Monday: Audition
Tuesday: Governor's State of the State
Th: Voice
Saturday: Symphony Concert

   A Picture Thought  I'm Sharing:

For my cousin, Kelly, who has never seen this movie in its entirety. Shocking. 

Clinic Update

Today I spent the morning of my day off with the kids at the Resort. It was a normal visit, nothing too special, and I had scheduled it for my day off so that if they wanted to do testing beyond the normal, they'd have time to do it.
First stop, as usual, was the infusion clinic, where, once again, the new port needle failed to work in my port. Thank God the rumor mill says the hospital will soon be switching back to the old huber needles that work. Mom has a stash at home for when we do port access, but at the hospital they do the new needles first. When the nurse asked me if it was OK to use the old ones, I gave an enthusiastic yes. My annual labs were drawn today, so that meant lots of blood for the lab to play with during the day.
After the blood letting, I went down to radiology where I had a CXR and a CT scan of my sinuses. We still keep tabs on those. Lately I've felt them draining so I figured this was excellent timing for some investigation.
Then up to clinic for full PFTs--which were stable--a visit from the new social worker, and then Julie and Dr. Kirkby. There were lots of bronchs going on today, so they were busy. I was unexciting. Dr. K said my sinus scan looked changed "but not terrible." So they are going to send it to Dr. Willet and see what he thinks. They will also set up an appointment for me to see him, since if I try to do it, I get stuck with a four month wait. It might be time for sinus draining surgery again, since I haven't had that done in 5+ years.
I left around 11:30, and headed to Katzinger's in German Village for lunch. I hadn't eaten yet today, and was hungry, so the huge Katzinger's sandwiches and French Onion soup were perfect. I had a book (Loot) that I"d bought at CMA yesterday, so I read that in the cozy deli and scoped out the artisan chocolate when I was done. It wasn't too crowded--civil servants (such as moi) had the day off, so I imagine that impacted the lunch crowd. But the roads were very clear, so that made me happy.
Dr. K said they would probably see me again in three months, which means post-birthday. I did see Dr. A and asked him if there were plans for a five year par-tay. He asked if I was paying. "Sure," I said. But I guess we'll work out the details of all the normal annual testing, etc., at my next appointment.

The Snow Grinch

(AKA---me)
Actually, that's not accurate. I like snow. I like it at Christmastime, and on Friday nights, when I know I don't have to drive for 48 hours.
I do not like it during the week. When I have to drive in it. To work.
Because I get snow days as often as we get a new Pope.
Maybe I should've stuck with my education major...

The last 10 years...

 I think the last decade of my life may have been the most eventful ever. I mean, short of getting married and having kids, I can’t imagine doing more in 10 years than this.
So here’s a round-up:

• Graduated from high school (2000)
• Graduated from college (2004)
• The transplant (duh!) (2005)
• 1 ICU stint (hopefully the first and last)
• Travel! Florida (2000), D.C., NYC (including New Year’s Eve in 2003), Chicago (2006), Duck, N.C. (2008), Houston/Galveston (2009), Rochester, NY; Wilkes-Barre, PA (King’s College debate tournament), Cleveland, Cincinnati, Wheeling (Oglebay resort), Muncie, IN (Ball State debate tournament), Michigan…
• Worked on the 2000 and 2004 Presidential campaigns
• My brother graduated from high school and college (OSU), my sister graduated from high school and started at Capital
• Theater!
• Reviewed in the Dispatch twice: Verdi Requiem in April of ’01, and Parade (see sidebar for that one)
• Got my first acting paycheck
• All-State Choir, Cleveland 2000
• Sang the Christmas section of Messiah, as well as “Worthy Is the Lamb” and “Hallelujah!”
• Christmas Festival singing at Cap
• Initiated into Sigma Alpha Iota (and was a founding member of the chapter at Capital)
• First serious relationship (college)
• Engaged (for awhile…)
• Moved out of my parents’ house
• Got my first car (1995 Honda Civic EX)
• My first real job—Swim Club concession stand in 2001.
• First real real job—LSC intern, fall of 2004
• Port put in
• The Bionic Ear appears (May 2006)
• My first Coach bag. J (Hey, had to include that)
• Got on the Mac Wagon
• Grandma and Pa celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary
• Mom and Dad celebrated their 30^th wedding anniversary
• Baghdad fell on my 21^st birthday
• 9/11
• Solo trip to Pittsburgh with Mel
• Accepted to Franciscan University’s MA Theology program
• Joined St. Patrick
• Started this blog! (2006 and counting…)
• Got my driver’s license (2000, after high school graduation. Mom made me wait.)
• Fell in love with Jane
• Read many, many, many books
• Saw Phantom on Broadway (and thus fulfilled a lifelong dream)
• More theater? A smattering: Les Miz, Beauty and the Beast, Avenue Q, The Producers, Spamalot, Wicked (Columbus and Chicago), The Light in the Piazza, Chicago, The Lion King, Into the Woods, Street Scene, Macbeth, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Master Class, 12 Angry Men
• Heard Itzhak Perlman play Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with the Columbus Symphony. Brilliant.
• Lots, lots, lots of ballet. Samples: Jewels, Dracula, The Great Gatsby, Aladdin, Nutcracker, Stars and Stripes, Night moves, 30x30, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet
• I actually learned to like opera!
• Saw La traviata, La boheme (Opera Columbus) and began collecting Renee Fleming CDs.
• Worked with the Secret Service
• Toured the White House
• Went to the top of the Empire State Building
• Heard Mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral
• Went shopping on the Miracle Mile
• Rode the NYC subway (one word: Ugh)
• Visited Ellis Island and found my great-grandfather!
• Attended my first black tie dinner

The Simple Woman's Daybook--January 3, 2010

Outside My Window::

The sun is glorious, the sky is clear and bleached white. This, combined with the snow, makes it dazzling outside, but probably very cold!

I am Listening to::

Silence (CI's not in!)

I am wearing ::

My garnet hill nightgown, so I feel like Elizabeth Bennet

I am Thankful For::

* A wonderful Christmas season spent with family and friends, especially a chance to see my grandparents and Di and Susie;

* My new parish family

I am Reading:

Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea: While The Greeks Still Matter

From the Kitchen::

So many big plans--I got cookbooks for Christmas. I just need to go shopping! But definitely my favorite Texas Cornbread (if I make it, recipe will be up). I'd also like to try some muffins from my new cookbook.

I am Thinking:

That even though I had a wonderful vacation, I've sort of missed my job! (whether or not I will be able to convey this into a cheerful wakeup tomorrow remains to be seen)

I am Creating::

ORDER. My mom and I did a massive apartment purge during my week off, so now all that's left is to clean off my desk and dining table. Both of those are easier said than done, but I want to tackle them today so that I can start 2010 back at work with a clean home slate. 

On my iPod::

Loreena McKennit's An Ancient Muse.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty:

Per my new year's goals, I want to incorporate some things into my life, like working out and daily writing. So today I will be creating a schedule to attempt to balance all the things I have going on right now.

To Live the Liturgy:

Today's Epiphany, one of my favorite feasts. I love the songs and the image of the Wise Men bearing gifts to the Baby Jesus. 

I am Hoping and Praying:

:: for health and fitness, strength and grace to do His will. (stole this from Elizabeth, but it's good!)

Around the House:

After last week's purge, I have to vacuum the floors. And, as I said above, the kitchen table needs HELP. 

One of My Favorite Things:

Babies, especially Susie and Justin, whom I got to see last week.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:

:"Back to life," as the song goes. That means:

--Work, in general, and daily Mass at St. Pat's

--Voice lessons on Thursdays (I've missed them!)

A Picture Thought  I'm Sharing:

Susie, tasting the Baby Einstein Animals. :)

The Simple Woman's Daybook--May 25, 2009

For Monday, May 25,2009

Outside my window...
It's almost dark, but it was a very pretty day. HOT though, about 86. 

I am thinking...
That it was a great weekend. Do I have to go back to work? (answer: Yes)

I am thankful for...
My family, days off

From the kitchen...
I finished brioche today. 

To live the liturgy...
Magnificat, Bible reading, rosary, St. Francis prayer book 

I am wearing...

>A raspberry colored tank top, and shorts

I am creating...
A new short story

I am going to breathe deeply ...
And relax--work will be fine!

Bringing beauty to my home ...
the house is clean!

I am going...

to take my pills, have a snack and go to bed. 

I am reading...

Sense and Sensibility, David Copperfield

I am hoping...
For a good, sane week. 

I am hearing...
The Star Trek soundtrack (n the car)

One of my favorite things...
Jane's books :) 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Classes in general...

W: Volunteering at LOOP

Th: Post-tx CF clinic

Random thoughts, linkage, etc.

• OK, yes, I've been AWOL for a bit. But between the Penguins winning, insanity at work, and friends' visiting, it's been busy here!
• So, first, some linkage. This is a great, great blog post. Really great. Go. Read. 
• Above I mentioned I had friends visit this week. Who? These two: 

That, my friends, is Karen, my transplant nurse, and her adorable, soon-to-be-one-year-old daughter, Paige. Paige was focused on the bit of lucky muffin that Karen was holding out--and Paige loved them. Every time she had a bite, she did this little head-bang/nod thing. It was adorable. Karen hadn't seen my apartment since I first moved in, so there were lots of changes! In honor of Paige's birthday, I got her Go, Dog, Go! which was my brother and I's favorite Dr. Seuss book when we were kids. I would read it to him over and over. We actually have that on videotape at my parents'--me reading to Bryan in my dad's big recliner. I was doing all the voices, too. Bryan was entranced. 

• And yeah, speaking of the Lucky Muffins--Pens up 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals against The Carolina Hurricanes. Game 3 tonight in Carolina. 
• Also in sports news: this is a good column. 
• In MA news: working on both classes, slowly but steadily. More up at CPG later. 
• The unread book pile? Remember this?

We're working on it! David Copperfield is actually being read, and I'm making progress! Of course this weekend starts the Great Jane Re-Read (I think this is the fourth year for it? Not sure), wherein I re-read all of Jane. I will be starting with 

S&S later today. 

• OK whew. I think that's it for now. More as the long weekend progresses....

updates!

Yes, I know, I've been awful about writing lately. But with the last week of the General Assembly upon us, the most I wanted to do when I got home was mainline some food and go to bed!
So, with Christmas less than a week away, here's what's what:

--still no word on new job. Going slightly mad. That's another reason for not writing, because the posts would've all sounded like whining. I didn't think that was readable.

--Choir rehearsals are long and quite productive. Our last one before Midnight Mass is on Monday night. We have a really good group this year and I think we're going to be splendid.

--The St. Francis project--go over to CPG for updates on that. (Which will be up later today) For those who don't know: The "St. Francis Project" is me studying the life of St. Francis, as he is my patron saint for this year. (see pic on side bar) I may end up having a Google doc, like I have with the Jane project. Stay tuned.

--New books: So many, it's not even funny. A real bookshelf will be up for those I really liked. A quick list:

• The Godmother
• Getting Rid of Matthew
• A Great and Terrible Beauty and Rebel Angels (part of a series--phenomenal)
• Truth and Tolerance--I finally finished it!!!!!
• The Gift (Richard Paul Evans, re-read)
• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (My Aunt Mary sent this to me. It is a fantastic book, on several Top 10 lists. READ IT)
• G.K. Chesterton, St. Francis of Assisi (this is part of the St. Francis Project)

--theater: Parade auditions tomorrow, which I'll probably do as a lark. :) 

--Movies! Dark Knight on DVD, and Christmas specials: A Charlie Brown Christmas, It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown and 'Twas The Night Before Christmas. 

--music: Josh Groban's Noel in the CD player

AWOL-ness

I'm still here, just so busy!
I had my phone interview on Monday--it went well, I think, and I have sent forth some writing samples.
Monday night was Immaculate COnception Mass at 7:00, and then after that the ladies had rehearsal for our ladies-only number Christmas Eve.
Last night Tiff and I exchanged Christmas gifts (two books--bookshelves soon), and watched The Dark Knight (popcorn here).
And today I had session at work, and choir at 6:30, and--oh yeah--gotta type those Parish Council minutes....

The Simple Woman's Daybook--December 8

For MONDAY, December 8, 2008

Outside my window...

The sky is a very, very pale blue, with scattered wisps of clouds. There are still a few stubborn hanger-on leaves. 

I am thinking...

about grad school, job options, and Mass tonight. 

I am thankful for...

good books

From the kitchen...

Chicken caesar wraps, Tastefully Simple bread and chocolate cake (made yesterday)

To live the liturgy...

Magnificat, daily Bible reading, Advent devotionals, rosary, and Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception tonight.  

I am wearing...

brown and black checked pants; a pumpkin-colored sweater; a brown flower necklace with an amber insert, on a leather chain

I am creating...

the last of my Christmas cards

I am going to breathe deeply ...

and prep for Mass and rehearsal

Bringing beauty to my home ...

Everything is clean--except the kitchen table!

I am going...

to hope for good things!

I am reading...

Truth and Tolerance (B XVI)---ALMOST DONE!, Bleak House (Dickens, which is really good, even if it is like 900 pages long!). Yeah, OK, no change here. But what I read this weekend: The Tales of Beedle the Bard; The Sex Lives of Cannibals; My Life With the Saints; Lead, Kindly Light

I am hoping...

for acceptance to Grad school and a new job!

I am hearing...

My Church Choir Christmas CD

Around the house...

cleaning off the table. 

One of my favorite things...

Christmas time!!!! Christmas movies! Christmas cards!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Tonight: Mass, women's rehearsal for choir

Tuesday: Dark Knight! Tiff over. 

Wednesday: Choir

Thursday: Happy Hour w/ work folks, lunch w/ Dad

Here is a picture thought I am sharing: 

One of my favorite ornaments; the Peanuts gang, directed by Snoopy, playing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" on their bells. 

Friday with Bub

(note: "Bub" is what I call my younger brother, Bryan. It's a massive shortening of his childhood nickname, which I shall Not Reveal.)

Friday nights are usually when I come home and crash with books and movies. After a long week, and especially after a day spent writing a very, very long column, that usually sounds like the best plan of action. 

However, my brother came up with something better on Friday. He proposed (after his classes were done for the day) getting Scali's takeout and watching movies at my apartment. 

This sounded ideal. 

So, after the column was done, I came home, cleaned a bit (yes, for my brother, who is still in college, so cleanliness to him is option), and prepared for his arrival with The Best Italian Food this side of the Mississippi. Bryan had gnocci (a favorite of my dad's, as well), and I had the Rosemary Chicken (which is just what it should be--lemon, chicken, and rosemary sprigs. MMMM). 

Once we were done with this (and the DELICIOUS bread), I decided to get Bryan his Christmas gift, which turned out to be the movie The Departed, which he likes but does not own. As I had never seen it, I was cool with this. So after going to B&N to pick it up, we settled in with Diet Dr. Pepper (of which Bryan drank about 4 cans) to watch it. 

Now--if you've been reading here for awhile, you know I am not the Biggest Martin Scorcese Fan Ever. Actually, I had never seen a movie of his that I liked. The Departed is the exception. I really liked this movie--maybe not enough to put in my All-Time Favorite List, but enough to buy (which no, I haven't done yet--Mom disclaimer). It's one of those movies that is just jammed with stars--every other scene I was going, "is that XYZ?" or "he's in this movie?"

As far as the gore/gross quotient goes, it's really not that high. Yes, it has a high body count, and some of the scenes are wince-inducing, but it's not a gross movie in terms of blood. So if you get freaked out that way, you're OK here. 

We turned off almost all the lights, except for one lamp and my Christmas tree, and sat together on my couch. It was a great way to spend an evening, watching a good movie with my little brother. A very Christmas-y, Holiday thing to do. 

Interview!

I have an interview with a staffer from Representative Austria's office soon!! I got a call today and I am very excited to potentially work in a Congressional office again (especially since Branden is in Springfield!) 

Simple Woman's Daybook--December 1

For MONDAY, December 1, 2008

Outside my window...

It has just started snowing from a whitish-gray sky. Very windy, but a few dark, dry leaves are clinging to the trees. 

I am thinking...

about a job offer (I hope)

I am thankful for...

friends with good information!

From the kitchen...

Onion Onion Dip and Bountiful Beer Bread for the Parish Council potluck. 

To live the liturgy...

Magnificat, daily Bible reading, Advent devotionals. 

I am wearing...

a purple top; khaki colored pants; a Tiffany heart shaped pendant

I am creating...

Christmas cards and gifts!

I am going to breathe deeply ...

and enjoy Parish Council tonight.

Bringing beauty to my home ...

My tree is up!

I am going...

to hope for good things!

I am reading...

Truth and Tolerance (B XVI)---ALMOST DONE!, Bleak House (Dickens, which is really good, even if it is like 900 pages long!), First Comes Love by Scott Hahn.

I am hoping...

for acceptance to Grad school and a new job!

I am hearing...

Christmas carols in the car. 

Around the house...

dusting and tidying up the bathroom. 

One of my favorite things...

Christmas time!!!! Christmas movies! Christmas cards!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Wednesday: Choir rehearsal

Thursday: Lunch with dad, ballet

The Simple Woman's Daybook

From Peggy

 

(with some editions from Elizabeth)

For MONDAY, November 10, 2008 (yes, I'm late this week!)

Outside my window...

The sky is a very pale blue, and all the leaves are gone. It's in the mid-40s. 

I am thinking...

about Christmas gift ideas.

I am thankful for...

those who defend our nation.

From the kitchen...

Brioche, since I get tomorrow off!

To live the liturgy...

Magnificat, daily Bible reading.

I am wearing...

a bright blue cashmere sweater; black pants; black socks; diamond studs. 

I am creating...

new L&A chapters.

I am going to breathe deeply ...

and enjoy the extra day off.

Bringing beauty to my home ...

Organizing my new bookshelf!

I am going...

to be productive. 

I am reading...

Truth and Tolerance (B XVI); The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Stories (Tolstoy), Bleak House (Dickens, which is really good, even if it is like 700 pages long!) (Yeah, OK list hasn't changed in awhile, but these are long!)

I am hoping...

for a good week.

I am hearing...

the Parade soundtrack (in my car)

Around the house...

dusting and tidying up the bathroom. 

One of my favorite things...

crisp fall days

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Tuesday: Dinner w/ Anne and Lindsay!

Wednesday: choir

Thursday: ballet

Friday: Quantum of Solace!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Andrea and tom's wedding. From L-R: Molly (Tom's sister); Tiffany; me; Allison Snyder; Andrea; Ashley (Andrea's other sister, who is married); Lindsay Seders, and Lindsey, Andrea's cousin. 

I'm still here!

Yes, all, I am till with you!

So, the saga of my day:
I got up at 5:15. A.M. After ot falling asleep until after midnight (OK, part of that was watching Steelers/Redskins on TV, but still!).
I got to my polling place, with my coffee thermos, at 6:00. There were about 50 people in line. By the time I went into vote, (polls in OH open at 6:30), there were probably about 120-150. The sunrise was beautiful, and so were the stars! So I spent most of my time finding costallations. It wasn't a cold morning, which was good.
Once we got in, I waited for about 25 minutes before I cast my ballot. I have to say, there is a huge thrill in selecting your Presidential candidate. That's why I don't vote absentee--I just get a thrill out of it. And I love seeing everyone all lined up, voting peacefully.
I got out of there around 7:03 and listened to Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" all the way to the Resort. Traffic, thankfully, was pretty light and I was in infusion at 7:30 a.m.
Blood draw was OK, then it was off to CXR. The movie on in the waiting room was Enchanted, so that was good. I also had Wuthering Heights to read (that's a very good fall/winter book). IN the waiting room there were two kids with Down Snydrome, and of course I couldn't help but think of Trig.
As usual, the CXR was quick. I do these in a coma at this point. It was maybe 8:15 by now. I headed up to the clinic, where we did NiOx and PFTs and all that good stuff.
These were not as great as normal. All of them (except for maybe one test) were down, by about 5 points or so. So, in Todd-speak, not "Good" but "OK." He thinks it might be a virus, bu we really won't know until the cultures (nasal wash and sputum) come back. Julie says we should have prelim results tomorrow.
If it is a virus, a bronch might not do us much good. I am supposed to call tomorrow 1) if my symptoms are worse, but, in any case, 2) I an to call and get prelim lab results.
So I went home (well, to my parents') and slept the rest of the day, until we had dinner. Now I am at home, with my brother's laptop and the TV on Fox (of course!). Ohio is not expected to be called until the wee hours.
Work tomorrow will be a zoo--we will have the people for the 128th General Assembly (to be sworn in at the beginning of January), and possibly a president. Regardless, the clips will be Monstrous.
Probably more updates as we go along but my health, right now, is holding.

Sarah! Sarah! Sarah!

Some comments on Sarah-palooza of late:

1) NO ELECTED OFFICIAL actually reads the papers. NOT ONE. I know they don't because that's why I have a job. I read the papers, I cut the stories, so I tell them what is important to read! I did this for a Congressman, I do it for 33 Senators now. Trust me--not one of them really reads every paper that's important cover to cover. If they want to know what papers they are in, they do a google alert (at least that's what we do) and all the stories will be delivered neatly to the inbox. 

So the fact that Sarah "couldn't possibly read" all the papers in Alaska is crap. Do you actually think the President reads the Post or the New York Times or the Orlando Sentinel? NO. His staff does, and they tell him what he needs to know. Sheesh, people. Next you're going to be amazed that politicians have speechwriters!

2) Supreme Court (SCOTUS) case(s) she disagreed with: She could have safely said Dred Scott v. Sanford, the case that said slaves aren't really people. I think we can safely say that everyone disagrees with that ruling (except, say, Chief Justice Taney and Southern plantation owners). But that's really not a fair question. Unless you've really studied Con Law then how many SCOTUS cases, PERIOD, can you name? This is a relevant question for a judge or judicial position. It's not really relevant for a candidate for political office. At all. 

For the record, I took a year of con law at Capital. Here are the cases I can name off the top of my head, at this moment:

1. Lawrence v. Texas
2. Kelo v. New London
3. Marbury v. Madison
4. Dred Scott
5. Brown v. Board of Ed
6. Donnely
7. Lemon v. Kurtzman
8. Roe v. Wade
9. Griswold v. Conneticut
10. McCullough v. Maryland
11. Plessy v. Ferguson
12. Miranda v. State of Arizona

Frankly, I'm a lot more interested in a political candidate's grasp of the Constitution--especially the point that "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" are NOT IN IT. 

3) It amuses me how many people on chat boards, etc. say that they want a "really experience VP." Dick Cheney was chief of staff, secretary of defense, etc.--he's really smart. And yet--people don't like him. Hmmm. 

Channeling Laura Ingalls

So Hurricane Ike has left me (and about 1,000,000 other Ohioans) out of power. I have not had power since 6:30 last night, and I am now at my parents', mooching their electricity/AC/ what have you.

Some notes gleaned from my experience thus far:

--You get a lot of reading done when you have nothing to do but read. I finished Night and Day and read The Covenant, a novel by Naomi Raben, which was really good. I may even add it to my favorites list.

--Writing by candlelight isn't that bad, except you have to have an awful lot of candles.

--Thankfully it was windy so I just opened the windows and got a good breeze, so I didn't miss the AC.

--No internet, so I was glad I knew what the weather would be.

--When there's no light, you go to bed early--like 9:00. But I didn't sleep well. When my power's off, so my alarm on my clock, and I can't hear my cell phone without my CI in. So I was sort of nervous, leading to a 5:30 wake-up. Hey, at least I got my yoga practice in!

--Putting on make-up in the dark is...interesting. But I didn't look bad!

--I got to the office at 6:40. Oh yeah.

--The boys in my office didn't shave, because they didn't want to shave in the dark. So they looked sort of funny. :)

--I was never so glad to get to my office and have electricity in my life.

--I came home at 4:00--still nothing. So I showered, read a bit, and then went to my parents', where I am now mooching off internet.

--And...kudos to Nutmeg for leading me to the cool site where I got my new background!

At home Daybook--September 8

(Totally stole this from Elizabeth)


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Outside My Window ...is a beautiful day. The trees are still green but the air is cooler and the breeze is crisp, promising fall very soon.

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Towards a daily rhythm ... learning to do what is important first and well, to have time for the fun things later.
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I am thankful for ...my faith sharing group; the onset of fall; my friends; the work I did today.
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From the kitchen ...
Greek Tuna pasta salad for dinner.

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To live the liturgy...
Saying my rosary BEFORE bed, in honor of Mary's birthday. This way I won't fall asleep whilst I'm saying it (as I am prone to do).

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I am wearing ... a blue jersey dress and a turquoise cardigan that hits at my waist. All blue for Mary. :)
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I am creating ...my schedule for the week.
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I am going to breathe deeply ...it's getting cooler this week, so fun fall clothes and activities.
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Bringing beauty to my home ...cleaning and setting up the apartment for the onset of fall and winter. trying to obtain real order and not just organized chaos.
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I am reading ... Truth and Tolerance, by BXVI; Night and Day, by Virginia Woolf, and The Golden Bowl, by Henry James
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I am hoping ... that tonight's Parish Council meeting goes quickly and well (not necessarily in that order)
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Around the house ... the kitchen table is still a disaster.

One of my favorite things ... talking politics with my faith sharing group. :)
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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Parish Council tonight; Choir on W; Bryan's 23rd birthday (yikes!) and dinner at Scali's on Thursday; Tastefully Simple party on Friday.
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Here is a picture thought I am sharing~