7 Quick Takes Friday

---1---

It's been a crazy busy week like most, but this one seemed especially nutty, probably because I've been out of the house a lot more this week than usual. I'm such a homebody that I get completely out of sorts if I have to be away from home very much. Hopefully, next week will be better.

---2---

I've been taking advantage of my miles logged in the passenger seat to get a little reading done. I've managed to finish two books that I'll be reviewing in the next couple of days as well as one just for fun. All three of these count toward various reading challenges.

---3---

Speaking of reading challenges, I'm horrifically behind on mine. I'm planning to finish my current stack, which includes the latest Alexander McCall Smith book. Then I'm going to focus on the smallest challenges first and see if I can get some of them knocked out. Then I won't have so many uncompleted ones staring me in the face.

---4---

This coming week I plan to be in major decluttering mode. My workroom/office is pretty much unusable at the moment because there are so many boxes stacked up in there and other things brought from my mom's house. I've got to get it cleaned out before I get any more behind on my writing and sewing. I've got to get some clothes made before summer hits!

---5---

I've been researching antioxidants this week. It seems that people increasing their antioxidants lose weight, have better looking skin and more energy. This sounds like a pretty attractive package. One of the easiest ways to do this is to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat. We are entering the easiest time of year to accomplish that, so I'm ready to give it a go.

---6---

Sweetpea is really keeping us entertained. She loves music and loves to dance. If anyone plays music on the computer, stereo, or even starts a television show with catchy theme music, she starts dancing around in the middle of the floor. Our favorite is her Jeopardy! dance. When the Jeopardy! theme starts, she twirls around, rocks back and forth and waves her hands in the air. It's her favorite.

---7---

I'm working to get on more of a schedule with my blogging. I'm getting more things going so I have things posting all week. Things currently in the works or under consideration are book reviews, a weekly cookie recipe, some homeschooling info, more photos and, if I get #4 finished, sewing project info. I'm also considering other types of recipes and freezer cooking info. Let me know what you'd like to see more or less of. I love your comments (even if life gets too crazy to respond right away). I do read and cherish them all. Hope you have a peaceful weekend and a productive week ahead.

Random Dozen

1. Ever had any run-ins with the "library police?"

A library in a nearby town has letters sent from the city attorney's office when your fine reaches a certain level or age. I have received one of those (for quantity).

2. Do you have a special organizational plan and place for wrapping paper, gift bags, etc., or do you just purchase whatever you need as you give gifts?

I'm somewhere in between. I keep a small stash of wrap and bags and such, but frequently end up buying more when I need to wrap something because I don't have exactly what I need or I can't find it.

3. Have you ever been in (first-hand witness) a natural disaster?

I went through a mild hurricane when I lived on the gulf coast.

4. What's your favorite Barry Manilow song?

I Write the Songs

5. What's the best costume you've ever worn?

This is a tough call, but the most unique was probably the kangaroo costume I wore in high school when I played Kanga in the 'The House at Pooh Corner'.

6. Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus?

The dictionary gets used more because it has the thesaurus info too.

7. What's your favorite breakfast food?

It's a tie between biscuits and blueberry pancakes.

8. Have you ever purchased anything from an infomercial?

No, but I've been tempted. :)

9. Have you ever crawled through a window?

Yes, when I got locked out of the house.

10. Do you believe in love at first sight?

I think it's possible to be attracted to someone at first sight, but I believe love is a verb.

11. How man pairs of jeans do you own?

I have four pairs, but one of them is too big.

12. If someone were going to bake a cake to honor/represent you, what would it be? (Think creatively, like Duff and Crew on "Ace of Cakes.")

Hmm. I'm torn between a kangaroo with cool shades and a pouch full of joeys with a bulging bookbag slung over her shoulder and a laptop under the other arm or a giant shoe-shaped house with representations of all my kids peeking out the windows and the old woman who lived in the shoe in sunglasses sitting outside under a tree reading a book.

Come join the random fun at 2nd Cup of Coffee.

Top Ten {Tuesday}: Ten Ways to Feel Like A Child Again

Something about the warm sunshine and fresh breezes of spring brings out the child in us all. Here are some ways to give into it!


1. Splash in a puddle
If you're still having warm spring rains, why not make the most of them? A suitable alternative would be wading in a creek. :)

2. Squish your toes in the mud
Once the rain is over, there will be mud everywhere. Kick off your shoes and have at it.

3. Eat an ice pop
Yeah, it's just sugar and water and some artificial flavor and color on a stick, but it's magical.

4. Squirt someone with a water gun
I'm not talking about one of those fancy drench-you-with-one-pump. I'm talking about one of those little cheapie plastic ones like you had when you where a kid.

5. Pick some wildflowers
Why wait for your kids to bring you a short-stemmed bouquet? Make one of your own.

6. Whistle a happy tune or a perfectly aimless one
As Lauren Bacall said in To Have and Have Not, "You know how to whistle, don't you, Steve? You just put your lips together and... blow." Give it a go!

7. Catch a ladybug and let it go again
They are fascinating to watch, but let them fly away again to do their job of eating your garden nasties.

8. Catch some fireflies
Popular with kids way before the members of Owl City were conceived, fireflies are lots of fun. Grab a canning jar and go after them. Tell your adult mind that you're getting an aerobic workout while chasing them. :)

9. Watch the squirrels play chase and jump from tree to tree
Try not to think about how the pesky things try to get into your attic, and enjoy their antics with fresh eyes.

10. Befriend a bird or two
Whether you stake out the hummingbird feeder, the bird bath or go looking for birds' nests in the trees, have a little fun with your feathered friends. Marvel at the colors and grace.

Food for Thought

Einstein's Three Rules of Work
1. Out of clutter, find simplicity.
2. From discord, find harmony.
3. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.
-- Albert Einstein

Quirky Quote

"Women and cats will do as they please and
men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea."
-- Robert A. Heinlein