The Cabbage Patch

7 Quick Takes Friday (volume 71)

~1~

I've been watching the Winter Olympics.  Have you?  I enjoy a lot of the winter sports.  In the Summer Olympics, I usually get bored with a lot of the events but the winter ones don't bore me as much.  I could even watch the curling but only for the "what is that?" factor.  As I type this (Thursday night), the ladies individual ice skating is going on.  It's supposed to be uninterrupted coverage soon.  I'm not sure I can stay up to watch it all.

~2~

Speaking of the Olympics, there was recently a discussion on Ravelry about how athletes should act on the medals podium when the American national anthem is playing.  I was surprised at how people from different countries felt uncomfortable with the patriotism that Americans tend to show.  I've had a difficult time watching the athletes wear the flag while they race around after winning.  I concede it's a great accomplishment, but I can't get the idea that those same flags are placed on coffins of service members who are killed in action.

~3~

The two favorites to win gold are the Korean and Japanese skater.  It's a huge deal for these two skaters and I feel for them both.  For a bit of history, the Koreans detest the Japanese.  Japan occupied Korea for over 4 decades starting in the early 1900s.  As with most occupations, it was not pleasant for the Koreans.  My uncle recalls having to change his name to a Japanese name and how hungry he was as most food that was farmed was sent to Japan.  So, there's a lot riding on this one event.  The animosity runs deep.  That also explains some of the tension between the Korean short track skaters and Apolo Ohno.  Even though he skates for the US, he has a Japanese father.  Now, please know that this doesn't mean Koreans hate all Japanese.  It's what the country of Japan stood for at one time.

~4~

The snow has melted.  It's great to have snow and have it melt the next day.  And, to have weather in the 60s two days after the snow.  Only in Texas.

~5~

I'm planning my itinerary for our road trip this summer.  I wonder where we should stop along the way.  Any fun places to visit on the way from Texas to Williamsburg, VA to Cape Cod, Massachusetts and back to Texas again?

~6~

Ben is doing well.  We get to speak at least once a week using Skype.  We tried to use iChat but was having some volume issues.  We just could not hear each other very well.  There may something there that we weren't using properly but I couldn't figure it out.  

~7~

I don't have anything for number 7.  I'm so lame.  My life is the same each week.  We are busy yet we also live very fluid, flexible lives.  

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What We'll Be Doing Today

 

 

 

 

My poor boy had to wear mismatched gloves from our meager supply.  Luckily, purple doesn't bother him.
 
 
 
 

 

For Daddy, From Honey

 

7 Quick Takes Friday (volume 70)

~1~

Our homeschool group had our St. Valentine's Day party.  It was a bit hard because with Lent, my children could not eat candy.  But as most other children had given up candy, it was easier.  We also waited to open the bag with all the cards and goodies until tonight when we returned home from ballet.  The party was a lot of fun with limbo, cha-cha slide, and a hula hoop contest.  The boys learned to offer up their hunger a bit more as we've instituted a "ladies first" rule for the food line. 

  

~2~

Honey lost her other front tooth at ballet this evening.  She looks precious.

~3~ 

Gramma's visit went well even though it was too short.  We will see her again in May/June when we embark on another road trip to Massachusetts via Williamsburg, VA.  

 

~4~

We went to the American Girl store on Monday.  I loved watching the girls' eyes light up when they walked into the store.  It is girl heaven in there.

 

~5~

Brother was very, very good considering he was forced to be at the American Girl store for so many hours.  Gramma took him to the LEGO store that opened up this past summer.  It wasn't as big as we thought it would be, but it was jam packed with many, many LEGO sets.  He's been quite busy putting together his new set.

Oh, my boy needs such a haircut. 

~6~

We had lunch at the AG store.  The meals are all one price except for the Bitty Meal for the 4 and under crowd which Pumpkin is.  Each meal contains a starter and main course.  The girls were tickled that their dolls could eat with them.  Pumpkin brought Emily, her Bitty Baby while Sister and Honey brought Kit and Elizabeth respectively.  

 

~7~

I'm rereading the Percy Jackson series and continuing to wonder why they ruined a perfectly good story.  Word of caution to those who want to read and then watch the movie, do it the other way around.  First and last (I hope) time I suggest that.

Check out more at Conversion Diary.

 
 

7 Quick Takes Friday (volume 69)

~1~

We are going to see the Percy Jackson movie today.  I think that's one of the great things about homeschooling; we can go places and do things during school hours thus cutting down on the crowds.

~2~

It's been cold again.  I'm really not enjoying it.  Where did the mild Texas winter go?  This is craziness.  My MIL is visiting from Massachusetts.  Once again, our mild weather has turned cold for her.  And, there's not been a single ray of sunshine.

~3~

Pumpkin has finally left my bed *sob*.  She insists that she will sleep all night in her own bed.  She's had greater success than her older sisters.  Sigh.  I miss her.

~4~

Ben has been getting a lot of rain in Afghanistan.  Lots and lots of rain.  Otherwise, he's doing well.  We've been able to Skype quite a bit this past week.  The kids really miss him although Honey never mentions it.  

~5~

Can we talk stop signs?  Why can't people just go when it's their turn?  Why do people keep telling me to go when they should be going?  Even before I fully stop.  What's wrong with these people?  If it's not the drivers who don't follow proper protocol, it's the ones who insist you go first.  I had this one guy in a mustang furiously waving me on.  I refused to go until I came to a complete stop.  Lest you think I never break any traffic rules, let me assure you that I do.  I just know that in this town the cops can be sticklers for a complete stop.

~6~

So many knitting projects, so little time.  So many books, so little time.  What's a girl to do?

~7~

I don't have anything for this one except that Pumpkin is neslted snugly by my side and I'm loving it.

Check out more at Conversion Diary. 

Pumpkin in Ballet

Big sister helps out in the class.  Aren't they cute together? 

7 quick Takes Friday (volume 68)

~1~

We took pictures tonight for our parish picture directory.  I can't wait to see the directory.  I know a lot of people by sight, but I don't know their names.  I probably should know their names, but I don't.  I mostly want to know the names of the people I see all the time during daily mass.  Most of them are elderly and when we're praying for some of the sick elderly, I'd like to know who we're praying for.

~2~

I want one of these. 

~3~

The Wii Fit trainer is driving me crazy.  When I wobble during yoga, he tells me, "You're a little unsteady."  You think!  I have terrible balance.

~4~

We have a wedding in Virginia to attend this May.  Since we're on the East Coast, we plan on heading up to the Cape to visit family.  It should be fun.  The IHM Conference in Northern Virginia is scheduled for June 11 and 12th.  I'm so close!  I REALLY want to go but don't know how I'll swing the logistics.  I can make it down back to Virginia after our time in Massachusetts, but who's going to watch the kids while I spend these two days at the conference?  Sigh.  I know I could go to the one in Dallas, but there are so many homeschooling people I'd like to see at this one.  

~5~

It's been raining for two straight days.  I don't know if it's supposed to rain today (I'm writing this on Thursday).  I'm trying to be grateful for the rain because I'm sure it's not going to rain much in the summer.  

~6~

I have a lot of knitting projects in the queue.  Just like with books, so many project, and so little time.

~7~

It's viewing week in ballet so I'll leave you with a few pictures.  I don't have any of Pumpkin yet as her class is on Saturday.

I'm still working on taking photos with my zoom lens that are not blurry during action shots.

Check out more at Conversion Diary.   

Candlemas, The Presentation of the Lord

The Presentation of the Lord by Hans Hobein the Elder 

Beanpot

GO BU!!

My Eyes

It's age.  I can't read a lot of things on the computer nowadays without having to increase the font size.  Sigh.  Seriously?  When did that happen?