7 Quick Takes Friday - March 6

1. I'm finally going to check out a Mommy group today. Interestingly enough, it's Catholic (not too common.) Although at this group, I think they let the kids run around while you're just sitting talking to each other. We'll see how that goes - not sure how productive or personally/spiritually restorative that kind of arrangement is.

2. My husband's family is, for the most part, politically conservative. And since it's a large family, alot of emails get sent back and forth each day. The current subject du jour is how Obama's bailout and other social programs are destroying our country. In general, I agree with all that's being said. But when I take all that's being said together as a whole, I get upset and scared about the way this country appears to be headed. I worry about our future and the future of our son. And then I just want to stick my head in the sand and ignore it all.

3. Because I have a Kit American Girl doll, I get the American Girl catalogs in the mail. Has anyone else noticed how more and more the company gives more promotion and space to the non-historical dolls and items? I don't think I'm imagining this. It makes me sad/mad to see worldy secularism overtake what was once a fantastic company (yes, I know the original company was bought out.) Whoever bought the company needs to remember that the historical dolls are what "made" the company. I recognize that some people feel that if a girl today is playing with any doll at all that we should be grateful. But I'm not so sure about that. Other than baby dolls, I don't particularly care for how most dolls today are "me" oriented - dolls that are supposed to mirror exactly how girls today dress and act. Which is fine unless the society you live in is predisposed to shoving sexualized imagery, clothing, and accessories into the faces of little girls long before it's appropriate, if it ever is appropriate.

4. Yesterday my son got to go outside in the mid-50 degree weather. He hasn't been outside, as a walking entity, ever. Last summer and fall, he freaked out most of the time when we set him down in the grass to crawl around. Well, yesterday all it took was ONE time in the warm freedom of the outdoors for him to stand at the back door, pounding on the door and crying to go out again. I'm happy about this development. I think?

5. I need some inspiration to start a cross stitch project that I've been wanting to begin for about 3 years now. I'd like to have it finished for an event in April. I just worry that I don't have the stamina to finish it by then, which makes me procrastinate in even starting it. Also, I'm worried about the money needed to frame it. See, it's a fabulous cross stitch pattern, one that I want to be near perfect when finished. And so, I just feel fearful about the whole thing because I'm a relatively new cross stitcher.

6. People who still have Christmas decorations up on their houses annoy me. I mean, come on, it's March! And it's Lent - the season that precedes Easter. If you pay close attention when you're driving in your car, you'll see that there's many people who still have wreaths up, etc. To me, this phenomenon is indicative of the massive rush to get Christmas decorations up way too soon - an interior longing and show for the fun and materialism that comes with the holiday season - but which is easily deflated and lazy when it's all over.

7. I have an insane habit when spring is on the way - I search through dead plants in my yard (and in my neighbor's yard) for signs of new plant growth. I do it to hopefully discover that some evidence is present, no matter how small, that gives any sign of spring. Well, I found some evidence yesterday - a millimeter or two of daffodil greenery starting to make it's way through the soil, as well as deep purple spikes - as short as can be - the evidence that in 2 months there will be the usual overage of hosta growth in front of my home. You have no idea of how this excites me! Even though I'm digging around in flower beds that are still bordered with snow!