Seven Quick Takes on Friday--volume 74

One.

Yesterday, as I contemplated the mystery of the Feast of the Annunciation, the conception of the God-man in the womb of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, this thought popped into my head:  only nine months to shop for Christmas.  Lord, have mercy on me.  I need a torrential downpour of grace if I am ever going to get to Heaven.

Two.

Along with looking into some of the school things I may want to use in the next school year, I am seriously contemplating getting a laptop.  We really could use a second computer in this house, especially for Una, who will be going into 7th grade.  I am looking at factory reconditioned ones on eBay, and, as I am completely clueless about computers and on a tight budget, the prospect of picking something out is enough to make me break out in a sweat.

Three.

On the topic of school and such, this is the first time in five or six years that I will not be at the St. Louis Catholic Homeschooling Conference this weekend.  My friend Cindy and I have made the pilgrimage up there every year and have always looked at it as our "One-on-One Girlfriend Time", enjoying the five hour drive up there and back again as an opportunity to really talk.  Of course, right now she is in Louisville with Madeline, and I am awaiting word to see if she and Maddie will be coming home this weekend, or if they need to stay on up there a bit longer.

Four.

I am in a mad rush today and tomorrow to try and finish up a baby sweater for my niece, who will be baptized on Palm Sunday.  Why on earth I chose a pattern that is endless rows of garter stitch in baby-weight yarn is beyond me.  I also need to give the boys haircuts again.  I wish I enjoyed giving haircuts, but it really is one of those things I really dread.  I think I need to get an instructional video so that I can feel more confident and do a better job.  And a straitjacket for the little guys.

Five.

I have no idea what I am doing for Easter dinner.  I have no tradition in this regard, and I would really like to come up with something so that, like with Thanksgiving, I already know the menu and don't have to stress out about it.  I will be looking at some cooking sites and some Catholic mommy blogs for some ideas.

Six.

Another idea I have been toying for ages, but feel I really need to implement now is the perpetual calender.  There are so many things that need to be thought of every year at certain times of the year, and I need a visual reminder.  This way I can begin assembling things for Easter crafts right after Valentine's Day, and I can remember to shop for certain occasions well before the week of the occasion itself.  I used to be super-organized, but with the increase in the number of children, my organizational skills have fallen apart.  I really need some down-time to pull myself together and get back on track.  When?  I'm not sure...

Seven.

One week until Good Friday.  I don't know that I have done well at all this Lent, but I have high hopes that I can make up for it a little this coming week by meditating on the Lord's passion and trying to be aware of His will as I go through the week.  It is always so hard for me to keep focused on my inner life when everything on the outside is so chaotic and demanding, and so I must struggle to keep things going smoothly--as well as I can, anyway--in my home as well.  

Now head over to Jennifer's Conversion Diary to read more Seven Quick Takes, and have a good weekend!