7 (Super) Quick Takes Friday

I was determined to participate in 7 Quick Takes Friday this week, but at 9:30 after a *very* full day, it's going to have to be a "Super Quick Takes Friday" (especially since I have to get up earrrly in the morning, as it's Billy's Saturday to work and the big girls have to be at a GA activity early.) I just hope my tired brain can come up with 7!

1. I finally decided on the co-op classes I'm teaching this fall. After waffling about whether we were even going to participate (due to external circumstances beyond our control that may wreak havoc with our schedule), I am getting really excited about it again. Kelli has a great line-up of classes started already, and I appreciate her and Matt and their work to continually improve co-op so much. We have been super-blessed with great co-op coordinators during our years in co-op!

Anyway...I'm teaching two classes this time (which I said, after the last time I did it, I would never do again!): (1) Codes, Ciphers, and Secret Spy Stuff for 9-13 year olds, and (2) Scrapbooking and Beyond, a papercrafts class for teenagers. The spy class was a special request from Peter, who said, "You always teach girl classes, Mom...teach something for me!" The scrapbooking class is hopefully going to somewhat satisfy the recent overwhelming desire to teach scrapbooking/paper arts classes again. I would so love to find a place to teach and start teaching again, but for now, this should be fun! I really need to nail down plans and projects for the classes in the next few days, so that I can get more detailed info to Kelli...so watch for more on that soon. :)

2. We had a great lunch at ChickFilA today with Kathy and Kaitlyn and Joshua. I'm not sure Kathy and I completed two sentences in a row without some child bursting out of the PlayPlace to get a drink or ask a question or tell us something "really important", but somehow we still managed to get in some good "mom talk." That's always a good thing. :)

3. I'm mourning the loss of Emerald Cocoa Roast Dark Chocolate Almonds. :-( We made our every other week trek to Sam's today, only to discover that not only have they changed the salad we usually buy (and were quite happy with), they have also quit carrying the Dark Chocolate Almonds. Have I ever mentioned I have a love/hate relationship with Sam's?? It's Billy's favorite place to buy pants, I love the cheap prices on dairy products, and as I've mentioned before, the Sam's Cafe is one of my kids' favorite (cheap) places to eat. :) But I *detest* the fact that just when I get used to a product I really love...they quit carrying it. UGH.

I'm on a quest now for an alternate source for the almonds, but so far, everything I've come up with has been *waay* more expensive than Sam's. :-( Since I was diagnosed with Diabetes, these have been my mainstay...even though I don't care for almonds *or* dark chocolate usually, these are quite tasty...a good low-carb protein snack with just a hint of chocolate. *Sigh*

4. We have been given a blessed reprieve from triple-digit temps. The last weather report I saw showed highs in the upper 80s (!!!!) and low 90s well into next week. I would be thrilled if that would last all summer (although I know that is a dream :)).

5. I am blessed with an abundance of books at the moment. I always have a "stack" going, but right now I've got quite a few either "in progress" or "pending" even for me! Check back next week for the blog tour for Noel Hynd's Midnight in Madrid. I'm in the middle of it now and can't WAIT to finish it. The week after that is the blog tour for Tour de Force, by Elizabeth White.

6. I had a good hair day today. I realize that isn't important to anyone but me...but it doesn't happen often, so it's noteworthy. Besides, it gets me down to #7! :)

7. After yesterday, I am determined to put a serious dent in our food waste. I'm trying to come up with a way to make myself accountable about that, but I haven't quite figured it out yet. And I would love to hear any ideas you have for reducing food waste, using leftovers, disguising leftovers for picky eaters, and using what you have without spending an eternity in the kitchen. :) Thoughts or suggestions?

Made it! For more Quick Takes, visit Jennifer at Conversion Diary . (If you haven't visited her already, you should anyway. Her blog continues to intrigue and challenge me. Much there worth reading!)