7 Quick Takes (Volume 264)

--- 1 ---

I enjoyed spending some time with good friends and doing some more birthday celebrating last weekend. My friend, Amanda, has a birthday in January too and since she's left me (sniff, sniff), moving to a different town, we take full advantage of any opportunity to get together. OF COURSE we had to hang out for our birthdays. Our friend Edie and Amanda's sisters joined us for a shopping extravaganza. And food fest. And general merry making.

--- 2 ---

This is the last thing I'm going to say about my birthday until next year. I PROMISE. I just HAVE to show you the awesome gift my mom gave me.


It's a framed print of a newspaper article a local paper ran about my trip to Uganda. The gold plaque at the bottom says "Fulfilling God's Plan" and lists Proverbs 16:9. What a cool way to commemorate an amazing experience. (It looks fantastic in my office, by the way.) Thanks, Mom. I LOVE it!

--- 3 ---

I've been having trouble sleeping lately (Who am I kidding? One of the constants in my life is my difficulty in achieving a good night's sleep), thinking about the many activities ahead, the biggest of which is Ladies Man's graduation. There is SO MUCH TO DO to get this kid ready for next fall--college visits, scholarship applications, scholarship auditions--and it all has to happen in the next few months. All this on top of the regular crazy schedule our family has in February and March with show choir competitions, drum line competitions and speech meets. I keep chanting, "I will not hyperventilate. I will NOT hyperventilate. I WILL NOT HYPERVENTILATE!" I know we'll get through it. A friend sent me this to remind me survival is sure.


Amen, sister. AMEN! We will press on.

--- 4 ---

Speaking of speech meets, Ladies Man and his friend competed in their first meet last Saturday in the duet acting category. I haven't seen their sketch yet, but it's called "The Pom Pom Boys." Knowing how animated these two get, my imagination has gone wild and I can't wait to watch it, hopefully this Saturday. They were super excited to get 1st place last weekend competing against the Lincoln schools. Congratulations, guys! Really proud of you!

--- 5 ---

Since Drama Queen has moved into a house with three other girls, they all seem to be finding their domestic sides. For some reason, Drama Queen takes great joy in snapchatting us pictures of her culinary creations. This is what we got on Tuesday.


I told her it looked pretty and healthy. Just what I like in food. And you know what else is funny? I remember having dishes exactly like that plate when I was a kid! Corelle all the way, baby.

--- 6 ---

My kids like to tease me about my "word bloopers," those times my tongue gets ahead of my brain and the words come out all wrong. Usually I think they are totally full of it, but I caught myself in one last night and I was lucky they weren't around to hear it. (Apparently I am stupid too, as I am about to clue them in!)

I felt really groggy all day yesterday and had a tough time working up the motivation to do ANYTHING. I kept at it, but by the time dinner rolled around I ran out of steam. I started a pot of rice, but just couldn't muster up the energy to do anything else. I had a headache and just felt lethargic. My dear husband, always one to make my life easier (and maybe trying to avoid stir-fry which he politely tolerates), offered to order pizza and I took him up on it.

Me: I just don't feel good today. I'm not even that hungry.

Kevin: Then you don't need to be worrying about dinner.

Isn't he fabulous?! That's all it took for me to cave and soon he was walking in the door with pizza. I decided to eat a little and it did improve my head and mood.

Kevin: Are you feeling better?

Me: Yeah. Maybe I just didn't eat enough today. Can a person do that? Could I have under-eated?

Yeah. Ouch. Not only did I bloop a new word, but anyone from my family of origin is dying of laughter right now just imagining I could ever UNDER eat.

I'm calling it proof I may have been under the weather. Or sleep deprived. Yeah. That's gotta be it. I'm going with sleep deprived!

--- 7 ---

If you're looking for something different and wonderful to do this weekend and live in the Beatrice area, might I suggest coming to the Lincoln Symphony Concert right here in B-town? Yes! The full Lincoln Symphony will be performing at the Hevelone Center at Beatrice High School for an amazing admission price of $10. Students are FREE! The concert starts at 7:PM. This is a great opportunity to hear some spectacular music (It's the same concert they'll be performing Saturday night at the Lied Center in Lincoln for a higher admission price.). Don't miss it!






That's gonna do it for me today, friends. Enjoy your weekend and read more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

7 Quick Takes (Volume 263)

--- 1 ---

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes. I actually enjoyed turning 50. I liked the suggestion of one friend saying I was now part of the 50 & Fabulous Club. I'm gonna go with it, although twenty years ago I thought that meant something a little different. I want to assure you that while I do own a lot of purple clothing, I DON'T own a red hat.

Wait, is that denial talking?

--- 2 ---

We started the festivities with a fun dinner with friends. We tried a new restaurant we've heard wonderful things about. It was very good, but the wait was enormous. With silly people like these, though, we hardly noticed.


The boys are a little unpredictable. RJ is working on his Hitler look. Mark is being his charming self. And Kevin . . . you tell me.

--- 3 ---

The next night we were able to gather our whole family together for more silliness. I was super happy my mom could join us.


We were sad Kevin's parents couldn't make it, though, as his dad was in the hospital all week. Sigh. Missed you guys!

It's not too much to ask for one nice picture with my kids, is it? This is what I get. Doesn't it take more effort to do this than to just smile?


It took a while, but they finally obliged me.


This picture my mom took is pretty decent too.

--- 4 ---

After dinner I joined some friends from high school for a big 50th birthday bash. Four of us in this picture turned 50 within days of each other (and three others with January birthdays couldn't make it!). Two turned 50 in December and the rest will turn 50 by August. We spent the evening reminiscing over the stupid stuff we did as kids and trying to figure out where all our classmates ended up. I really enjoyed seeing these women I spent so much time with over 30 years ago. Thanks for a great evening, girls!


Not only did I hang out with people in high school born around the same time of year, but in my Wednesday night Bible study group there were SIX people with January birthdays! What happens to people in March?! You know that phrase "Beware the ides of March"? It's supposed to have something to do with the assassination of Caesar, but I wonder if it's code for something else!

--- 5 ---

Suddenly I am sympathizing with women of mature age putting on makeup. You know how sometimes it doesn't look so straight or their lipstick is outside of their actual lips or the eyeshadow is smeared in odd places? I totally get it now. Even at 50 my eyelids are droopy enough that eyeliner is getting harder and harder to get on right. There are days I'm thankful I can hide behind my glasses! What will the next 20 years bring?! Mascara on my forehead? Blush on my ears? Globs of foundation on my chest?

Maybe by then people will find my poor skills and droopy skin endearing. At the very least I guess I'll give people something to laugh about.

--- 6 ---

At one time or another, my children have thought it a good idea to start a blog. Drummer Boy actually wrote on his the most, but it's been a few years. Drama Queen and Ladies Man each took a stab at it. And now Princess Dawdle took the plunge. She's been asking me for over a week, "Is it fun to have a blog?" and finally decided to go for it. You can read her insights at Princess Dawdle Diaries (I should get some sort of kick back for that title, don't ya think?) My favorite part of the post is her personality coming through loud and clear. Plus, I chuckled at the P.S.

"P.S. Here's a link to my mom's blog. I advise you read it.. because it's cool... and cool people read it... so yeah. "

So yeah, you are cool people! Sweet.

--- 7 ---

The birthday fun continues as I hang out with more cool people tomorrow. I guess when you get as old as me you get to stretch out the fun because either 1) you can't survive it otherwise or 2) everyone feels sorry for you.

Whatever the reason, I don't care. I'm not feeling sorry for myself at all. I enjoy my life and my people and especially this guy I get to keep as long as we both shall live. I love how this picture captures the happiness I felt the night of my birthday.


I pray you look for the joy in your life this day and enjoy more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary

7 Quick Takes (Volume 262)--The 50th Birthday Edition

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I can hardly believe it, but today is my 50th birthday. Yep. Let the teasing begin. This summer I was none too happy about this day approaching, but today I can honestly say I am. 50 years! Half a century! I have history, people! (Or I AM history . . . which is it?)

And so, to commemorate such an occasion, I've dug out pictures of my 50 years of life to remember where I've come from and mark the goodness of God in my life.

--- 2 ---

I was a surprise baby, coming 9 months after my parents' wedding. My mother had been told she couldn't have children. Somebody was wrong, ya think?




I have good memories of childhood--playing with cousins, falling asleep at the drive-in theater, my mom supplying kool-aid and shoestring potatoes for tea parties with my little sister, and every little girl's dream, baby kitties. Here is a pic of little kindergartner Tami.

--- 3 ---

The entrance to my second decade was marked by the arrival of my twin brothers when I was ten and my sister was eight. This picture is from my 11th birthday. My sister is on the left, a good friend on the right, and my brothers sit on my lap. I think I liked those little boogers. (Confession: still do.)


The teen years weren't too kind to me however. My girls were TONS prettier at 15 than I was. Can you say WOOF?


Here's proof I had a love of lizards BEFORE Ladies Man and Elmo. Meet my little chameleon I called Igor.


I think my senior picture proves I was alive and well during the Farrah Fawcett years.

--- 4 ---

My twenties were full. I got married.


I taught junior high and high school math at Lincoln Christian. This picture is me at the quarter century mark. Don't you love the flying nun collar?


I also became a mother. Twice. Drummer Boy was born in 1990.


Drama Queen came in 1993. This picture was taken a few weeks before her first birthday when I was 30.

--- 5 ---

God blessed us with two more kids in my thirties. Ladies Man came in 1995. Can you believe this kid was ever this small?! Believe it or not, he was my smallest baby! And obviously this picture was taken shortly after his birth. I look totally out of it!


Princess Dawdle made the scene in 1998. Here she is at five months old and me at 35.

--- 6 ---

The year I turned 40 was a big year for our family. Princess Dawdle started kindergarten and I felt like the oldest mother alive. Drama Queen started middle school and Drummer Boy started high school. How in the world did I stay upright?

Must be the grace of God, because a few short years later, the migration of kids from our home began which has proven to be the toughest thing yet on this mama's heart. Drummer Boy started it off in 2008.



Drama Queen followed suit in 2011.


But some really cool things happened in my forties too. I started eating healthier and feel great, better than I ever did in my thirties. We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.


And I got to take an amazing trip to Africa.







All of this, plus tons of time with my wonderful family and friends. I really enjoyed my forties.

--- 7 ---

And now I'm on to bigger and better things as I start the fifties. What might be next? What wonderful thing is on the horizon?

We might be planning a wedding or two, maybe even welcoming some grandkids into the mix. Weird. But I am up for it, I tell you.

50. Pshht. What's to be upset about? Life is very, very good. And the best is yet to come. It makes me want to do the happy dance . . . or at least sing a little ditty.

But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.

Psalm 13:5-6

Good indeed. I hope you take some time to reflect on God's goodness to you this weekend and find more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

7 Quick Takes (Volume 261)--The Highlights of the Holidays Edition

--- 1 ---

Yes, I have been MIA the last few weeks. You know how the holiday season can be. Something had to give. I decided to enjoy it and savor the moments instead of typing away alone in my office.

Lots happened in the last few weeks, too much to remember, so today you get the highlights.

Ladies Man will be playing tuba in Wind Ensemble next semester, so he brought home a tuba over Christmas vacation to practice. We've been regaled with Tuba Christmas songs ever since. His personal favorite was Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer because of the cutesy little ba-da-dum-dum lead into the song. Believe it or not, I was partial to Silent Night. He wasn't too bad for someone who just started messing with it. Plus, that kid's silliness and enthusiasm is contagious.

--- 2 ---

We spent Christmas Day with my family and had a great time. My sister bought our little nephews fake moustaches for their movie escapades. The boys weren't enamored with them (case in point, my little nephew thinks we're crazy), but we sure had a good time. I felt like saying, "Feliz Navidad!" All I needed was a sombrero.


(On a completely unrelated side note, can you believe my sister is the blonde in the red sweater? Our brothers are twins and as little girls we each claimed one as our "baby." MY "baby's" wife looks more like me than my sister--the woman on the far right and my sister's "baby's" wife looks more like her than I do--the woman next to me. Weird, huh? Or have I completely lost you?)

--- 3 ---

I don't know why I didn't see it until yesterday, but Drummer Boy posted a fun composition on Christmas Day, his rendition of The Little Drummer Boy. Click the link for a listen. Do it. You won't be sorry. My son is a good composer.

The Little Drummer Boy

--- 4 ---

On Sunday night, Ladies Man attended the big event of the year for high schoolers in our town, Snowball. It's bigger than Prom. He went with the daughter of our dear friends like he has every year. It's pretty obvious in this picture that I took a nap that afternoon--talk about bed head!


The kids were looking fly. (I hope Drama Queen and Drummer Boy aren't throwing up in their mouths after I used the word "fly.")


They like to wear unusual shoes. One year they donned Chuck Taylors. This year they decided to wear Sperrys. Isn't the difference in their feet hysterical?


When we took pictures with their group, the boys had a good time with the conference table.






Drama Queen's boyfriend went as well (but without her--both she and Ladies Man's girlfriend are no longer eligible to attend--sigh). But we got a super cute picture of them together before the event.

--- 5 ---

While her brother and boyfriend stayed up all night playing video games after the dance, Drama Queen had to be to the airport by 3:30 AM to catch a flight with the Cornhusker Marching Band to the Gator Bowl in Florida. I was thrilled when a friend of ours from college posted this shot of the parade on Facebook. That's my girl!


Her instructor got this amazing shot of the snare line before the game.


And my cousin and his wife hooked up with her AT the game!

--- 6 ---

Princess Dawdle joined her brother and some friends for sledding yesterday. I was so glad Ladies Man's girlfriend had the foresight to bring a camera. Look at the great shots she got!




Doesn't that last one just make you want to "ahhhhh?!" I think they like each other!

--- 7 ---

By far my favorite pic of the season was this one, again taken my Ladies Man's girlfriend, completely capturing the goofy spirit at our house. I've really enjoyed hanging out with my people the last few weeks and soaking them in. God has been very, very good to us. This picture warms my heart and makes me smile. I sure do love these people.



I hope your holidays have been enjoyable as well. Now we begin another year anew. What will be in store? How about while you're waiting to find out, you take in more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary?