7 Quick Takes (Volume 87)

1) Oh my goodness, my readers crack me up! After the final performance of our church musical, a couple of women greeted Kevin and congratulated him on another good show. And then one of them said, "But I am disappointed about one thing."

Kevin held his breath.

"Tami's been bragging on your butt," she said, "but with you in the orchestra pit I didn't get to see it once."

I nearly snorted and thanked God for a husband with a sense of humor!

2) Drummer Boy had a mishap at work this week. He was painting stripes in the parking lot when he spilled the bright yellow paint all over his leg. It covered his shorts, his shin, his sock, his shoe. . .

I guess you could say he was a marked man.

(Please, no eye rolling for my cheesy attempt at humor.)

3) Miss Innocent One has taken to freezing orange juice and consuming it later as a slushie. This is all well and fine until she thinks it makes a complete breakfast.

Me: Honey, you really should have some protein with that.

Miss Innocent One: Yeah. . .

Me: You have to eat more than orange juice.

The minute it escaped my lips I knew I'd hear about it.

Drama Queen: Eat more than orange juice?!

Yeah, yeah, give me a break. I still had morning mind.

4) Want to see where I've been writing blog posts?


This is one of the coolest spots in my house. It's an enclosed porch on the second story. Surrounded by trees, you feel like you're in a giant tree house.


I wish I could say I've been super inspired, but. . . I'll let you be the judge. At the very least, it's a great view!


5) Just when I'm feeling happy about my fitness level, God reminds me to get over myself already. My cardio and stability ball class decided to join the boot campers yesterday morning and MAN was I humbled. I thought myself in good shape, working out 4-5 times per week, seeing muscles I never knew I had, but yesterday in boot camp--YIKES!! Everybody left me in the dust, making me feel like a total wimp.

It's good for me, I know, both physically and emotionally. I get the message, Lord, loud and clear. I can always do better. There is no coasting in God's economy.

6) Kevin, Ladies Man, Miss Innocent One and I watched America's Got Talent. Some guy swallowed a sword and then had his fiance put a moving drill down his throat. It was tough to watch. Even the judges could hardly take it. Here's a link if you've got the stomach for it. I distracted myself by perusing the sale ads from the paper.

Me: What does Daddy want for Father's Day?

Miss Innocent One: And don't say socks and underwear.

Kevin: I could use a tie tack.

I gave him a blank stare. I mean, c'mon, how boring is that?!

Ladies Man: Dad, you should get something really good.

Kevin: I don't know.

Me: How about a new fishing pole?

It was his turn for the blank stare. He hates fishing.

Me (groping as I flip through pages of suggestions): A nice cooler (yawn)? A new sleeping bag (when would he use it?)

Ladies Man: How about some power tools?

You must realize this boy has ulterior motives in suggesting these.

Miss Innocent One: You could make your own act. Would you like a drill you could swallow?

Ladies Man (pointing at the t.v.): Can you imagine this guy's kids? "Daddy, what can we get you for Father's Day to stick down your throat?"

Kevin never did give us any good ideas. So the pressure begins. I'm a terrible gift giver. I always wait until the last minute and then have trouble finding anything good. My husband puts me to shame. For Mother's Day he gave me a jewelry armoire after hearing me and our girls talking about pooling our bling together. It's beautiful, fits well in our bedroom and was on sale to boot! Somehow a tie tack just doesn't cut the mustard compared to that. Am I right? Taking any suggestions, people, and bring them on in a hurry. I don't have much time!

7) What I'd really like to give Kevin for Father's Day is a new vehicle. His truck is functional, but wearing out, and he hates driving a truck, that's a stick shift, with no air conditioning and bad shocks. I drove it around for a few days this week and nearly got sea sick with the rocking. But sadly, my budget is not that large. Sigh.

Do I get points for wishing I could give you a big gift, honey? If I had all the money in the world, you'd own a nice vehicle AND a grand piano. We'd fly off to fun destinations every four to six weeks and I'd hire someone to finish the attic rooms FOR you and I'd buy season tickets to the Lied Center and we'd have a weekly dinner date at expensive restaurants and an unlimited account to the Apple store for the latest gadgets.

Instead, you get a bouncy truck, getaways to hick spots in Nebraska, a little help with the attic, fast-food lunch dates and my undying adoration. I hope that'll do it for ya! Please know I love you despite the crappy gifts I send your way.


I wish you all a Happy Father's Day. May you honor and enjoy the men in your life. Be sure to catch more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.