Quick Takes #9

1. With the idea that spring will actually arrive at some point, I have started considering what I need to add to my wardrobe as the weather warms up. I know I would like to add at least a few more everyday dresses and skirts, plus one or two really nice dresses or skirts for church. What are your favorite spring/summer pieces?

2. I have been reading A Mother's Rule of Life by Holly Pierlot; it is one of the most helpful books I've read recently. I've been struggling recently with feeling like I'm somehow really missing some things, and this book as really helped me start to focus on what things I'm missing and pointed me in the right direction to create the right balance and harmony for my family and me.

3. For the last few weeks I have been required to wear a back brace. There are two reasons for it, and both of them make a lot of sense. First of all it's to help add much needed support to my spine in hopes that it will somewhat reduce my pain. The second reason is to protect my spine as much as possible from additional damage. My vanity has had a hard time with me wearing this brace. I feel like everyone sees it and judges me because of it. I have been praying for something, I'm not sure what exactly, to help me wear it without my vanity kick myself self esteem down the drain. I can't be the only person who has had trouble with vanity, so how do you deal with it?

4. I have to write a paper about the Mayans. This would be really simple if there were thesis suggestions, but there isn't. I have no idea what my thesis should be, and it's starting to become a problem. Any suggestions for a thesis or anything even slightly more specific than "The Mayans" would be really helpful.

5. I have a beautiful silver and pearl rosary that I use at home, but I would love to get one that I can keep in my purse and a CD for the car so that I can still fit the rosary in on days that are a bit crazy. I think I might look at getting a simple wood rosary, but I'm not completely sure. As for the CD, I have no idea what that will end up being.

6. Why does the representative for the "at fault driver" from my car accident always call when I am on the way out the door for something?

7. I keep thinking this is going to be my last semester for awhile. Since we've decided to do school at home with Princesa I think it is just better that I focus on her education. Mine can always start again later in life. For the most part I am completely at peace with this idea. I might take a class or something, but I won't be doing a full time schedule. However, I keep worrying about what family members are going to say about these choices. I thought I was doing so much better with brushing off what they say, but in this case I just can't seem to do that. How do you respond when close family and friends are extremely critical of your decisions?

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