7 Quick Takes Friday - February 27

1. Glad to be back today - we went on a trip to Missouri last week. It was great visiting relatives, but with a toddler in tow, let me say - it was NO vacation. Making the rounds at people's houses was about as tiring as it could be for me because, of course, I can't expect other people's home to be child-proof. Then there were all the extra stops at McDonalds' playlands along the way, which irked me a little because Alan is either too little or too afraid to use the play equipment, thus all we're really stopping for is the opportunity to let him run around in a heated, enclosed area. Oh, that, and trying to eat squashed, dirty french fries from off the floor. Believe me, if it had been warm weather, we'd just try to find a playground instead. Thank God (and I mean that) for the car DVD system a friend loaned to us for the trip. Was is it ever a lifesaver!

2. I do NOT watch American Idol. I find it amazing that after all these years so many people are still so intrigued and addicted to this program. In my opinion, the singers all basically sound the same and they look the same to me, as well. Simon is the same. Paula Abdul is the same. They got a new judge? Well, that's proof to me that it's getting old and they're trying to mix it up to keep it fresh. If we have time, we will watch the tryouts for a laugh. Ditto for the last episode, when it's down to the last 2 contestants - by that point we just like to take a peek and see if all the hype is worth it. To date, we don't think so. I know lots of people like Idol. Well, to each his own.

3. Are you big into Facebook? If so, look at this. It's all about the potential for Facebook to engender undetected sinful behavior. It's worth thinking about, especially during Lent.

4. Speaking of Lent, if you're a non-Catholic, I'm wondering if you observe Lent in some manner? When I was a WELS Lutheran, I was surprised to find that they observed Lent, although differently than how it was done in my Catholic childhood. I read in the news this week that more and more non-Catholics have started to come to Catholic parishes on Ash Wednesday to receive ashes (which, for the record, the Catholic Church is officially OK with.) I think this is a good development because it shows people DO have an innate need for signs and symbols to be "alive." I wish the Protestant mega-churches would get a clue in this regard, for there is starting to be an exodus from these churches by a small (but growing) minority who just want some holy simplicity to come back into their worship experience.

5. We are HORRIFIED to learn that for the first time ever in either of our lives, we OWE on taxes. We're stunned in disbelief. And we owe ALOT (at least for us). Note this was just on the Federal tax front, not the state. So much for my husband taking on an extra job to make ends meet- we're now getting stabbed in the back because of it. Quite frankly, there is no possible way we can pay this tax bill, we're gonna have to go on the government's payment plan (fantastic! another payment that we can't afford!), but we're hearing really scary stories about the interest incurred by doing so. Like you could end up paying double what you owe? We're very upset and sad about this. We already have so many financial problems as it is - like the fact that our energy bill is up over $1000. Guess what we'll be using our state refund for?

6. And more bad news. Some might find it amazing, but until this week we haven't known anyone who has lost their job because of the economy. Well, last night a friend called to tell us that her husband - who was an executive vice president at a bank - was let go last week (along with 70 people under him). They live on one income so that she can stay home and homeschool her 6 children. They have a beautiful home (mortgage) and a large piece of property awaiting the building of a new home (mortgage). The husband didn't get a severance package and the vacation weeks they owed him? Nada. And their insurance coverage ends tomorrow. To add insult to injury, their son was diagnosed with asthma last week - the non-insurance cost for medicine he needs per month? $200. There's even more rotten developments than I'm sharing here. Along with everyone else in this unfortunate situation, please whisper a little prayer for this family.

7. Tomorrow is the last day of February! Yay!!!! There's snow on the ground here in Wisconsin, but still, March is the month when spring "officially" begins. I can't wait! If you're annoyed that I keep talking about this in my quick takes each week, well, sorry, it's because I'm obsessed with being able to go outside! When we were in Missouri last week I saw a few places where the daffodils had started to come out of the ground, and let me tell you, I was jealous!