7 QUICK TAKES FRIDAY

1. I am missing having little kids this Halloween. I think having time on my hands makes me itch to sew costumes and decorate like I used to. I even made fun Halloween foods like bloody fingers for dinner. I had fun until the sugar took over my kids.

2. Went shopping with Ally today. We had $200.00 and needed a coat, shoes and some warm tops. At the last minute we went to Kohls. We got a cute red "peacoat" with black buttons for half price, a pair of grey "suede" boots and 4 tops. I was amazed.

We even got along for the whole shopping excursion!

3. My printer/copy/scanner/fax machine has been breaking down utility by utility. first I couldn't scan anymore, then I couldn't fax, then the copier went and not I can't print. We had to order a new machine because I use it a lot for work. It isn't that old and now we have to figure out how to get rid of it. I now know to avoid those drop off places because they send the equipment overseas and it is causing big health and pollution problems. I'll check in with the garbage company, I guess.

4. Speaking of the garbage company, ours finally switched over to multiple cans for recycling, food/yard waste and garbage. It has been a big adjustment for Tom. He finally admitted that he could figure out what goes where but he is just choosing not to. Sigh.

5. My kids turn 22 this Sunday. This year has gone by so fast and 22 seems so much older than 21.

6. This time last year we were excited for the election! We are still feeling "hopey changey" at our house. We have been around long enough to know it takes a time for things to get done with a new administration. I prefer some thoughtful "dithering" to rushing into more war or ineffective legislation. What the election last year brought us here in California, was a shameful revision of the civil rights of same sex couples to marry. I hope that 2010 will bring those rights back.

7. Remember to turn those clocks back after the trick or treaters go to bed on Saturday!

SEVEN QUICK TAKES FRIDAY

First, a couple of political thoughts this week:

1.) Why is it Sarah Palin can go to China and bad mouth our country and our President and be called "unpatriotic" and "anti-American"?

2.) Why is it the FBI and the NY can bust a terrorist group with plans to and this administration gets no credit for "keeping us safe" ?

3.) The UN Security Council, at the first meeting chaired by our President, unanimously passed a U.S.-drafted resolution that endorses the eventual goal of "a world without nuclear weapons. Then they confronted Iran about their clandestine program which appears to be in violation of "peaceful" nuclear use.

On to Entertainment:

4.) I thought the Emmy Awards Show was terrible. It dragged and the animation clip was horrific. I am tired of them showing the same handful of celebrities on the red carpet - I want to see all the arrivals, not a few stilted interviews.

5.) I sobbed through a very emotional two hour Grey's Anatomy show last night. I didn't especially like the George character, but I thought, as usual, the writing on that show is so wonderful and engaging.

At home:

6.) Ally is off to Ashland Oregon with her drama class to attend the Shakespeare Festival. She has gone before and come back walking on air after seeing 4 performances, attending workshops and visiting behind the scenes. Also from lack of sleep and good nutrition!

7.) The above means Tom and I are FREE this weekend. No soccer, no practice driving, no shuttling her around for her social life or shopping.

Have a nice weekend!!

QUICK TAKES FRIDAY

After reading Suburban Correspondent's posts the last couple of weeks I checked out the site her 7 Quick Takes Friday came from and decided to join in. Everyone who posts a list then links from the site - a fun way to find interesting new blogs.

1.) Driving to soccer practice I saw a big banner stretched across the fence at the Middle School announcing the fall fundraiser. Last year it was cookie dough - this year it is MEAT.

2) We are now at the point where was can laugh about Ally backing into the garage door and damaging not only the truck she was driving and the door but the car inside the garage as well. We are calling it a "Garage Sandwich."

3) I actually won The Women's Colony raffle this week - $200.00 at the Piperlime website featuring shoes and handbags!!! I spent about 3 hours today looking at shoes and drooling all over my keyboard...I'll post what I choose.

4) The September heat has been climbing and will continue through next week in the high 90's and 100's. The brightside is that my tomatoes are finally ripening on the vine. I am looking forward to a Caprese Salad...

5) Has anyone ever managed to pick a really bad watermelon and then taken it back to the store? I am usually an excellent judge of melons, but I just cut my second bad one - it tastes unripe and sort of chemical. I think I will try to return it...

6) Watched Survivor with Tom last night. It isn't a show that I like much and last night reminded me why. There is a new contestant who is so smarmy and sexist that I was squirming in my seat. I don't think I'll watch with Tom again - at least until he is voted off the island!

7) Two soccer games this weekend plus picture day. Only 2 years and I will never have to be a soccer mom again!!!