7 Quick-ish Takes

1. True confession: I haven't been watching the Olympics OR American Idol and I rarely have time to read blogs and rarely comment these days. I know, what kind of American am I? (The blogging part doesn't have anything to do with being American, I just threw that in because I've been wanting to explain my absence to my blog friends because that's what bloggers do. We feel guilty if we once read and commented like mad and then don't for a while and we have to explain it because we fear that people might start writing us off or something that's mostly irrational.) (Ahem.) (I'm getting over it.) (Promise.) Let's just say there's been much going on in my life and my head and heart. (Oh look, I'm explaining.) (I can't stop.) (It's just that I have such faithful readers and I appreciate you all so much and I don't like it when I can't visit you as much.) I know this is understandable considering my other recent true confession and how it takes time to work hard on recovery, but I still struggle with...I don't even know what...people pleasing, I suppose. (Which is part of my problem.) (I'm working on it.)

WOW. Aren't my 7 Quick-ish Takes FUN?

2. I don't know how much longer I can take winter. (Oh no. There goes the fun again.) I'm usually somewhat of a trooper with this whole cold thing, but this year it's been WORSE. Bitingly, achingly, viciously WORSE. I saw a family of robins yesterday and I asked them what in the world they're doing back. Poor little guys were all shivery, trying to eat frozen berries off the tree outside my kitchen window. peck peck peck...no reward. Heart-breaking, really. I'm so glad spring is coming. Soon. RIGHT? RIGHT???

3. Speaking of Minnesota winter. Quite a few days ago, I posted a picture of a snow blower on our roof. I didn't do a very good job of answering questions about WHY or HOW we were snow-blowing our roof. Well, it's a flat roof and it's going to be replaced soonly. It had a lot of snow on it, so my Dad brought up the need to get the snow off at the local lumber yard and one of his friends (my Dad is a contractor) offered to bring a snow blower and a fork lift over. Yes. He drove the fork lift to our house in the freezing cold with a snow blower on it and lifted it up to the roof. Then my Dad and Ryan blew the snow off the roof. Without falling off even once.

(Oh look! We're having more fun now!)

4. While surviving winter, I have much to look forward to, including a few blogging events! (There's an exclamation point there because I'm excited!!!) The first of which is taking place in May in Utah, the Casual Blogger Conference. I'm honored to be speaking on a couple of panels on topics that I'm keeping top secret so that you'll come and listen to me out of sheer curiosity. Or maybe I'll just tell you what the topics are closer to May. If you're nice. You can click the button in my sidebar that says "I'm Speaking!" to learn more about the conference. I've been seriously impressed with the plans for this gig, I just know it's going to be good. So take a moment or twelve to consider joining us, mkay?

5. THEN I'm going to BlogHer '10 in New York City in August and I really can't even believe it. Yet. I will when I'm there. Maybe. There are many reasons I'm over the moon about planning to go, but more than anything, I'm looking forward to seeing so many lovely people I haven't had the chance to meet yet and so many others I've had the honor to meet and can't wait to see again. And yes, I communicate in run-on sentences in person too. Also, there's something exciting in the works regarding BlogHer too, but I'll tell you about that later as well. (I know. I'm just killing you with my mysteriousness.)

6. I had an appointment yesterday (It's like I'm addicted to appointments lately) and my Mom took the boys to get their haircut. My heart nearly exploded when they got home. Isn't it crazy, how BIG kids look after a fresh haircut? I mean, they grew four inches while they were gone, I'm sure of it. And so their whole childhood just flashed before my eyes...how fast it's going to go and then I felt that pressure. Like, oh dear Lord I have so little time to teach them. But instead of panicking or getting sad, my heart lifted a little and I thought that is the best kind of pressure ever. It's an honor.

7. Lastly, I'll share some links you really don't want to miss. Lately, during my scattered online time, I've been catching the BEST links to amazing blog posts via Twitter. (That made no sense to my Grandma or my Dad or a number of other people, but just trust me, these are good reads. It doesn't really actually even matter how I found them.) -

This post at Enjoying the Small Things had me weeping. Kelle writes with such raw honesty and grace, it's simply powerful. Click on that link and feel the story of the day her Nella was born, about the moments that she realized her baby girl has Down Syndrome and how that shook her world and changed everything in the hardest and best possible way. (hat tip to my friend, Allison-who I'm crazy about-for leading me to this post.)

we won't come back here by Lindsey at A Design So Vast. This post did something to me I can't explain. It was the way Lindsey's words mixed with the words from the video she shares. It's about a mother's love, really. And the way we want to keep our kids right here, just as they are, and also expectantly wait to watch them unfold at the very same time. Then today, Lindsey writes about judgment and links to some other excellent posts on the subject. Again, you don't want to miss it. (or um...them.)

Sweating The Small Stuff at Her Bad Mother. You know it's going to be good.

Tell me, have I missed any other must-reads? Have you written something you'd like to share? Or have you read a post that rocked your socks? Do share if something comes to mind.


This post is a part of 7 Quick Takes at Conversion Diary. Thank you, Jennifer.

(And yes, I do realize there was nothing quick about my takes.)