7 Quick Takes – July 24th (Volume 9)

On Thursday, all of the kids got up early, and I was still sleepy. It was my mistake to sit in the recliner while they played, because I fell asleep.

When I woke up, I felt something on my head. I was startled and reached up to feel a giant gerbera daisy hair clip right in the front of my hair.

The funny thing is, I talked to Molly several times while I slept for about 20 minutes. However, I have absolutely no recollection of her putting it in my hair. Eric says I need to watch out for more hazing when she gets old enough for makeup.

This week, we used our blender for probably the first time ever. We also got to use cucumbers, lettuce, and grape tomatoes all from the garden. We used them all to make these faux-Gyros (aka Mediterranean Beef Pitas) from Home Ec 101.

Holy Pitas, Batman — these were good! The cucumber sauce (which I left the garlic out of, because that’s just how we roll) was amazing. I had leftovers of the pitas today for lunch and then just sat and dipped chips in the leftover sauce. This was definitely one meal to add to our regulars list.

Speaking of making meals in, Eric and I have begun to wonder why it is that we eat so many meals from out (usually at least a couple of times per week, sometimes even three or four, as ashamed as I am to say it, although they aren’t all dinners, sometimes lunch).

The funny thing is, we have really been commenting about how much we enjoy the meals that we make at home. We feel better after we eat them, and we tend to just enjoy them more. Food from out often sounds better than it actually tastes.

We both vote that we’re just being lazy. (Although my working many week nights right at meal times surely adds to it.)

As long as I’m on the subject of being lazy, it reminds me of something that I wanted to share. First, let me say, yeah — I know that the blogosphere needs another weekly meme like…well…it doesn’t need it. But, this one is for me. I need to be more accountable, and hopefully the blog will help me do it. And, just maybe, other people need the same accountability, so I’ll put up a MckLinky.

Here’s the thing — I really put off a whole lot of creating that I want to do. From cool desserts that I read about on blogs to finally sewing some rice socks that I have been meaning to do to making a few rosaries to starting on the Christmas gifts that I have had the materials for since last November or December to working on the mixed media painting that has been in my head for months. I even have a teeny tiny craft room in my house, but it mostly just collects things that have no home, and I don’t visit it.

I put off all of this under the guise of there simply not being enough time. But, I can apparently find plenty of time for blogging (reading and writing), Facebook, and any other attention sucker I can find.

I finally realized one day while I was sitting at the computer, thinking about that painting, “I need to create more, and compute less.” I vowed to find time to do just that.

You know what? I haven’t.

So, I am going to be accountable here and now. And, maybe you’ll want to join me. Come back on Monday (Sunday late night), and I’m praying that I have something that I actually created (a special meal, a craft project, a home redecoration, a piece of art — something!) in the past week. Maybe you’ll have something to post too.

Being a computer kind of gal, I keep trying different ways to be more organized. I have tried all kinds of different programs with “to do” list-types of options.

This week, I just looked lovingly at the “Things to Do Today” notepad that I bought from Miller Pad and Paper while at a homeschool conference. Then I realized — it’s okay to love writing a “to do” list on a piece of paper with a pen. I love making other notes on the paper, and I love checking off the little boxes (or crossing things off when I used to use a spiral notebook instead).

I gave myself permission to not seek out a computerized option for something I enjoy using a pen and paper for, and I am much happier now.

I have been trying to get more exercise, though I’ve not always been sucessful at making sure to do so. But, hands down, my favorite exercise to do in the house is the 10 minute Super Hula Hoop on the Wii Fit.

It kills my stomach muscles sometimes (especially when I haven’t done it in days), but I love it!

Sadly, I cannot do a real hula hoop for longer than about 20 seconds. I’m not what one would call graceful.

We are bad. We let our almost 10 year old drink soda, though we limit it. He asked for one today, and I had to tell him that we were out of his brand. He was fine with drinking ice water, and I promised him I would buy more soda soon.

When the grocery store ads came in the mail, I told him, “Good news, Noah — soda is on sale this week!”

Gosh, I love that boy. He is just so genuine, and he does love a good sale.

photos by Angie @ Many Little Blessings, freakgirl (daisies), and katiescrapbooklady (Wii Board).