7 Quick Takes Friday - Vol. 12

---1---

OK. So. How has your summer gone? Mine has gone by. I have talked to several people who have expressed the same sentiment: this summer has had more obligations that most. Everyone has been crazy busy. We are no exception. I don't know what the deal is. My hope is that the school year will somehow provide some order and a chance for recovery. I'm done.

---2---

Tonight is the first leg of my 30-year high school reunion. While I will probably get a kick out of seeing some old(er) faces, what really excites me is my BFF is coming in town and we get to hang out this weekend. I miss her.

---3---

We hatched more butterflies. We have certainly done our part for the butterfly community this year. And we have a lovely flower bed full of milkweed and pentas to help maintain said community. Say hello to one of our hatchlings. The last batch were black-winged swallowtails.


---4---

I got old while I was away, too. While everyone was very generous in their well wishes for my birthday, by far the most fun I had was the night before my actual birthday. My sisters and mother took me out for a night of cupcakes and painting to this fun place I just discovered called Painting With a Twist. You should really check to see if there is one in your area. Such fun. There was one brave man there, but it was total girl fun. They have snacks and you are encouraged to bring your own. Then you paint a masterpiece. Well, sort of. You are guided step by step through painting whatever the selection is for the evening. We did a version of Monet's Poppies. (I typed "poopies" the first time. haha) I was pleasantly surprised at my creation - until I added the poppies. They have a fix it class I may go to and try to do something more with it. It was a hoot and a half anyway and would do it again in a heartbeat. Gaze upon our great works of art.


---5---
In honor of said 30th reunion, some of us have changed our Facebook profile pics to something from high school. This is from my junior year. It is the dress uniform from my high school drill team. We were the Bellaire Belles, a drum and bugle corp. I grew up down the street from the high school and spent most of my years listening to the girls practice and dreaming of the day I could join their ranks. When my time came, I had the joy and privilege of playing the snare drum. It was pretty much everything I had dreamed it would be. But then I got bitten by the performance bug. I ditched the Belles my senior year to devote my time to modern dance and drama. And that was fun, too. I am so glad I got to do both. Unlike too many people, I have really fond memories of high school. It was a good time.





---6---

My son announced at the beginning of the summer that he was going to save up to buy a PS3. That's some kind of infernal video gaming device that is more to his liking than the family friendly Wii we have. (Wii we. haha. I have a real potty mouth today.) He got himself a couple of little jobs, so he was on his way. He now has a new air soft gun, some ammo for said gun, and a new pair of shoes. He has no savings. As you can well imagine, I am shocked beyond belief. Not. This child has never been able to save more than the price of a pack of gum. He will give the money away before he hangs on to it. My daughter, on the other hand, still has some of her birthday money - from last October!! If you can explain this, I am listening.

---7---

The heat is oppressive. I am doing my very best to not complain as we had a wretchedly cold winter. I don't want another one of those. I would much rather suffer by the pool than suffer huddled next to the space heater. And I have about decided that having a generous neighbor with a pool is better than having a pool yourself. Fortunately, we have that. I hope my kids appreciate them as much as I do.


For more Quick Takes, head over to Conversion Diary. (Correction: Conversion Diary usually hosts. Today it's Betty Beguiles.)

Have a great weekend!