7-Quick Takes

1. 
I have to admit that I was dreading the State of the Union Address this week. President Trump isn’t exactly known for his wonderful rhetoric and clever way with words. I thought the speech was going to be painful and embarrassing and I was girding myself for the backlash.

I was wrong.

For the first time in my eyes, Donald J. Trump looked and acted presidential. He didn’t gloat, he didn’t pander and he didn’t mock his opposition. His anecdotes were moving and meaningful, his plans were expressed with conviction,  and in the end, he was inspirational and encouraging. 

I wasn’t an enthusiastic Trump supporter before, but I think he may indeed be going through a Thomas Becket transformation. I was very proud of him. 

2.
If you know women, are related to women, have daughters, grand-daughters, nieces, sisters, girlfriends, goddaughters, or daughters-in-law, or if you are just concerned about the treatment of women during pregnancy, after pregnancy or in difficult pregnancies, and if the idea of killing the unborn is abhorrent to you, particularly at or after the 20 week mark, you are allowed to discuss late-term abortion with friends, family or on social media. Don’t let anyone tell you that you are not allowed to discuss it just because “you” haven’t been in that situation. That’s simply ridiculous. 

That said, my loss was at 23 weeks. I held that little body and cradled my son. So I have some experience. 

3.
I had my third physical therapy appointment this week and paid up my bill. That was almost as painful as the bending and stretching the therapist was doing to my knee!! OUCH!!

But I paid a lot of attention to what she and the trainer had me do and I am determined to do rehab at home. We’ll see. I’m not as bad as I was a month ago, but still not 100% and sometimes it still hurts. I am growing inpatient but am motivated to strengthen this knee joint back to where it needs to be. 

4.
These have been a lifesaver!  They hold up well, are machine washable, and don’t slip down. I’ve been wearing them all day under my regular clothing and for workouts. I even wore one to bed when my flare up was particularly bad!  I would highly recommend them. 

5.  Noah got his passport this week! It was a fairly painless process. He applied down at the local library and brought his birth certificate and social security card with him. The only other passport I had ever seen was my mother’s. She went to Rome back in 1988. Her picture was small and wallet sized and it adhered right to the passport. Noah’s picture was embedded into the paper itself. It certainly would be difficult to make a counterfeit passport!

6.
Rosie is in rehearsals now for Pride and Prejudice, The Musical

Hers is a write-in part. She and two girlfriends are reading Pride and Prejudice during a slumber party. One of the girls apparently thinks the book is very boring, but Rosie’s character loves it! So she starts to tell her friends about the story and the romance. Fade lights, clear stage, and open with the official Act I!

She and her friends come back at the intermission to discuss how the play is going and in the end they are all bit P&P fans!

I was excited because it looked like I was only going to have to get Rosie a pair of pajamas as a costume for her role, but I found out this week she will also be in the ballroom dance and be a maid for the parsonage!  So after 12 long years, I guess I really will be sewing again!

7.

If you’re wondering about college, too, how would you like some expert advice to prepare your teen for life after high school? This free online convention is for you!
Lee Binz has collected a panel of experts for a mid-winter virtual convention, the College Launch Convention. Just check out the schedule:

Hal & Melanie Young – Playing In The Big Leagues

February 13 at 2:00 PM Pacific
Dr. Jay Wile – Advice For Students Headed Off to College

February 15 at 2:00 PM Pacific
Dr. Dale Callahan – How to Find Your Calling

February 16 at 2:00 PM Pacific
Andrew Pudewa – Strategies for Winning the College Writing Game

February 19 at 2:00 PM Pacific
Dr. Jay Wile – Textbook Myths and How to Deal with Them
February 20 at 2:00 PM Pacific
Hal & Melanie Young – Struggling Learners in High School & College

February 21 at 5:00 PM Pacific
Woody Robertson  – Study Like a Genius: Unlocking Your Brain

February 22 at 2:00 PM Pacific
Dr. Dale Callahan – Entrepreneurship After High School

February 23 at 2:00 PM Pacific
Lee Binz – Super Scholarships for Humble Homeschoolers

Join me in attending the College Launch Convention! Prepare your child for launch out of your homeschool and into college and career.

Don’t miss it! Register here