7 Quick Takes Friday

What a week it has been! Even with the less than stellar results of Tuesday’s election, there is still plenty to be grateful for!

It’ll probably be at least a few weeks before the media starts talking about election 2016.

And the Richard Mourdock political ads are finally over! The man is seriously awkward.

In the midst of liberal gloating and Republicans going on hysterical rants about the end of Western civilization (come on guys, that whole western civilization thing, I mean, that’s been in the crapper for a while now and you’ve just caught on?), there were a few lovely and thoughtful pieces making the rounds.

This one from Matt Warner at National Catholic Register is the best one I have read.

“And politics rarely drives culture, it’s almost always the other way around.

So stop worrying about how to change the politics and go sit down and figure out the next big way that you are going to change our culture for the better. How are you going to lead?

Figure that out and the elections will take care of themselves.

The world is surely upside down. Mother Teresa agreed. She said, “I think the world today is upside down. Everybody seems to be in such a terrible rush, anxious for greater development and greater riches and so on. There is much suffering because there is so very little love in homes and in family life. We have no time for our children, we have no time for each other; there is no time to enjoy each other. In the home begins the disruption of the peace of the world.”

Real change starts in the home. Not in the White House. In *your* home and the homes around this great nation. That’s where it begins. It ends in the election booth. If we’re only showing up to fight in the election booth, we’ve already missed the battle.”

Go read the rest, it is seriously good.

Enough of politics.

I am grateful for my husband’s job.

Mostly because (a) he has one and in this economy, that in and of itself should be celebrated. But also because he had Tuesday off, he has Veteran’s Day off, and then Thanksgiving day and the day after. Three weeks in November are 4 day or less weeks. I love that!

Also, I am grateful for his job because he likes it, and that makes a huge difference in the happiness and stability of our home.

I am grateful that there is a Star.bucks across the street from Maggie’s preschool. It makes this whole “writing” thing so much easier when I don’t go home first after dropping her off. When I can’t see the piles of laundry and dishes from my laptop it makes it easier to actually write.

I’m also grateful that Starbucks has (1) Oatmeal and (2) a reduced-fat turkey bacon breakfast sandwich, so I can eat while I write without spending 14 points on a piece of pumpkin bread (‘fraid so friends).

Also, the skinny lattes. Yes, thank you.

In other news, remember this piece that I wrote for Ignitum Today last month about how wether fertile or infertile we all have open hands?

Well, my old boss from the Arch Chicago read it and liked it, so he sent it to the editor of the diocesean newspaper where he lives now (Springfield, MO) and they are going to re-publish it in their newspaper!

I’m so excited, this will be my very first (though I hope not the last!) piece in a printed publication.

Grateful for the opportunity to share with others the heavy burden of sub-fertility and maybe be a source of comfort to someone struggling.

I am grateful that after the debacle that was the Pitt game, Notre Dame has managed to hang on to their unbeaten record of 9-0. It was ugly, dirty and painful to watch, but they managed to win in triple overtime and go 9-0 for the first time since I was 9 years old (1993).

Tomorrow we find out if the streak extends to 10-0. God I hope so because Boston College is insufferable when they win. Insufferable most of the time, but absolutely after a win.

I’m grateful for something to take my mind off of serious matters, and also grateful that all of their games are televised on basic cable!

Lastly, I am grateful for boots. Warm, comfy boots.

I have (don’t judge me!) six pairs of boots.

Brown, black, and gray knee high boots.

Brown snow boots. Brown cowboy boots.

Burgandy high heeled ankle booties.

I am obsessed.

I wear them with tall socks, short socks, tights or jeans; they keep my feet warm while also looking good.

Thank God for fall and winter boots!

What are you grateful for this weekend?

Remember to go see Jen for more quick takes!