Category Archives: Randomness

April 7, 2009 · 6:00 am

At First He Was Afraid, He Was Petrified.


We have this fish tank.  As of recent, it’s become so ghastly that I dare not post any photo of it.  Else, you might see how we really live and judge me accordingly.  Which, if you ask John Henry, he’ll tell you “the Bible says not to judge.”  So there.

There is one lone fish who has survived the waters.  We call him Rambo.  We call him Rambo, because he has sustained life despite going five days without a single speck of food.  He’s a fighter.  Rambo understands that these are the times that try fish’s souls. 

Just the other day, Anna Takle took it upon herself to feed Rambo.  THE ENTIRE CONTAINER OF FISH FOOD.  Please note:  Dumping fish food in large amounts into an aquarium will wreak havoc on your home’s aroma.  Holy Mother of Moses.  I nearly lost my breakfast more than once. 

So, after no discussion, we decided it in our best interest to dispose of the aquarium without delay.  Rambo now has a new home.

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He’s a survivor.  For now.

And for those of you who think it cruel that we forget to feed our fish, I’ll just have to give you my frightening look.  [frightening look.]  Daunting isn’t it?

 

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April 6, 2009 · 6:00 am

Let Them Eat Cake.


This blog is officially one year old.  Okay, one year and two days, but I figured you didn’t want to celebrate the BIG BLOG BASH on your very coveted Saturday.  I certainly didn’t want to give up my laundry and trip to the Red Carpet Car Wash.

So, here’s the celebration, folks.  Let’s party.

I said LET’S PARTY!!

Man, we are rock stars. 

You probably notice the little facelift I gave my dotcom.  I let my mom take a sneak peak yesterday. 

“Oh, it’s nice,” she said very convincingly. 

It seems my mom misses Anna’s cute little feet at the top of the page.  I’ve agreed to randomly change the pictures out from time to time.  FOR.MY.MOTHER.  Because, I’m a good daughter like that.  And, she’ll fly out here and keep my kids on a moment’s notice.

When I first began this blog, the thought occurred to me that I may have nothing to write about every single weekday.  Of course, you may be thinking, “Um, you don’t have anything to write about.”  Bigmama would tell you, “You better hush.” 

As a mother, you know we are never short on stories.  And, as long as Anna Takle is Anna Takle, there will always be a post that might make you chuckle – or just feel the need to pray for me J

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my little life and journey with our big God as much as I’ve enjoyed writing about them.  Life is hard enough to not share it with friends. 

For real.

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March 27, 2009 · 6:00 am

If You Look Up Mercy, You Might Find His Picture.

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A few quotables from my dad I try to live by:

1) Nothing good happens after at midnight.  Wherever you’re going to be, be there by then.

2) Vengeance belongs to God.  Not me.

3) His mercies are new every morning.  So should ours be for others.

4) Never let her cut grass.  Well, that’s what he told Kris when he asked for my hand in marriage. I remind Kris of this. J

5) Everything is going to be okay.

Happy Birthday, Dad.  We love you big. 

And, so do John Henry and Anna:

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March 25, 2009 · 6:00 am

That’s My Boat

The title is clearly lost if you don’t read in your best Forest Gump voice.  Here are a few more photos from the Takle Family Spring Break 2009.

 

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Kris’ response to this shrimp boat was “I’ve got twelve Jenny’s.”  We were told by a tour guide that the shrimping industry will be obsolete in ten years due to the ease of today’s farm-raised shrimp.  Kind of sad, huh? 

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This thingamabob does something with cargo ships.  Lifts the boxes?  I really paid attention.  Well, I did pay attention to the fact that it was shipped to Amelia Island from Singapore already assembled.  Okay.  It’s a boring picture, but you have to admit that it’s pretty impressive.  Yes?  Or, maybe when you are consumed with a 4 year old who only wants to wear purple now, you’re easily impressed.

Back at the grandparents’ house, Anna discovered her inner Audubon with a little bird watching.

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And this one finally got his hair cut short.

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Memories were made.  At one point, I looked at Kris on our getaway and just said, “We are so blessed.”  I’ve had my share of struggles.  But, scripture reminds us to rejoice in tribulation, because it produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope.  And, hope does not disappoint.  Had I not endured a broken heart, there would be no Anna Takle. 

You see how good God is?

 

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February 23, 2009 · 6:00 am

Angels & Thunder


The Takles had a laid back weekend.  We attended the Saturday evening service at Lifechurch.tv making for a lazier Sunday.  I briefly felt like a heathen, because, well….old habits die hard, and my Sunday mornin’ church-attendin’ roots run deep.

It was nice having Kris home this weekend.  John Henry had his last basketball game.  Since John Henry’s idea of blocking the opposing team members includes some sort of dance, I’m pretty sure we’ll be retiring his Thunder jersey.  Yes, his team was called the Thunder – just like Oklahoma City’s first ever professional team.  Apparently, everyone was so excited to have a pro ball team, they decided to call ALL young basketball teams “Thunder.” 

Clever.

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Anna informed me that I was “wearing her out.”  I haven’t a clue where she’s heard that one.  She then insisted that we call her “Angel.”  She failed to appreciate the humor I saw in her requested new name.

“It’s not funny, Mom!” 

“You’re name is Anna, not Angel.”  I told her.

“Not anymore,” she said.

Oh.  Okay. 

Later, I tuned into The Oscars.  I avoided the red carpet this year due to not losing those last few pounds.  Carolina Herrera will just have to wait until next year to dress me. 

Kris did manage to watch the Oscar-nominated The Wrestler on a recent trip.  “It was horrible.”  His words.  Not mine.  Mickey Rourke is a strange one.  But, I’m sort of fascinated by him.  Of course, not nearly as much as I am by Hugh Jackman.  He is, after all, Wolverine.  And, if you don’t like the X-Men, who are you really?

And, that about sums up our weekend.  Pretty rowdy, huh?

Did you watch the Academy Awards?

 

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February 17, 2009 · 6:00 am

He could be Mr. Mom.


The hubs works hard.  No doubt about that.  I wish I could do what he did, but I doubt I could ever land a plane quite as smoothly as he does.  I also have a bad habit of giggling when I talk to air traffic controllers.  And, if someone said “De-Ice”, I’d probably break out into something as ridiculous as “Ice, Ice Baby.”  I’m just being honest.

He’s good at what he does.  I’m usually decent at what I do.  But, could we trade places?  I found out in a recent conversation with Kris.

Me:  “Do you think you could ever be a stay-at-home-dad while I was the income earner?”

The hubs:  “Oh, you have no idea.  Absolutely.”

Me:  “No, you couldn’t.  You could never stop looking at aircraft for sale on the internet or……”

The hubs:  “I absolutely could.  I would be the best SAHD ever.  The kids would always be dressed so cute, er, except for Anna.  You’d come home from work, and I’d show you the new clothes I bought them.  Then, you’d be wondering, ‘How much did that cost?’  Then, I spend my free time planning vacations and talking to my friends on Facebook.”

Me:  “Could you be any more subtle?”

It’s like he doesn’t even know me. 

For the record, I’ve participated in practically zero shopping given the current state of the economy.  And, I only spend a portion of my time on Facebook due to the, ahem, demands of writing and Twitter.  Oh, and let’s not even begin with my volunteer commitments.  So there ya go. 

Okay.  Please, excuse me while I get back to researching deals at Disney. 

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February 11, 2009 · 6:00 am

God is more powerful than “tormadoes.”


Nothing like blogging in the bathtub with a little circulation going on around you.  For real.  You’ll read this post tomorrow, er today, but at least you know my current writing conditions.  Not as bad as the Apostle Paul, I suppose, who wrote from prison, but hey…I feel like I’m in my own little prison.  A bathtub.  With a four year old.  And a seventy pound dog.

Anna is eating her fair share of fruit roll-ups – all a part of the Takle Emergency Tornado Kit. 

She has been crying worried about her daddy.  “I’m scared of tormadoes,” she said.  We talked to daddy to assure her he was okay until the power went out.  Now, I have no form of communication with the outside world.  I sort of feel like Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie except without the snotty friend, Nellie. 

I’m sure John Henry has taken cover with his classmates.

Yes, I am a scaird Georgia peach living in tornado alley. 

******Taking a break.  Be back soon.*******

I just said a prayer over us.  Anna commented that “God is powerful.” 

I’m thankful she is being brought up in this thing called the Kingdom. 

Okay.  Gonna go peek out the door. 

******Note here:  LONG reprieve taken due to being a chicken little.*******

The above was written around 2:30PM.  It’s currently 6:22PM CST.  We hopped in our tub another couple of times.  Anna ran faster than Bruce Jenner to the bathroom.  I suppose the Jenner reference ages me a bit.  Ya think?

Here we are roughin’ it.

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All is calm on the western front now.  Well, at least, the “hook echoes” are out of sight.  Kris was quite worried about us.  Awww.  He does love us. 

John Henry was locked in a safe room with several other students for three and half hours.  Kris picked him up.  When he arrived home, he laid down for a half hour before he vomited all over my favorite down blanket.   Good times.

Anna, my up and coming fashion journalist, has kept us posted on weather.  She hasn’t taken her eyes or ears off of the news.  “The news says the buses are running!”  She informed. 

“It’s the SIDE of the building!  The SIDE!”  She later reported.

Not so sure what that was all about, but we thanked her still for being our relentless informant.   Move over Rachel Zoe AND Katie Couric.  There is a new journaling fashionista in town.

Okay internet peeps.  I just sent Kris out for some milk, Jr. Mints, and other emergency items.  In the pouring down rain.  Love him.

Love y’all.

Mean it.

 

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February 9, 2009 · 6:00 am

He sent frequent text messages.

My boy donned a tuxedo.

 

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And, Anna….well…..

Let’s just say Kris didn’t win the fashion wars.  I was sure of it when I returned home to see her wearing this.

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A lovely tank top in the heart of winter. 

I sure did miss that girl.  Kris decided to document their chain of events by sending me regular text messages.  Here was the first incoming message:

“I am about to fall over with laughter listening to Anna talk her shew-wee out.”

Um, how do you spell “shew-wee” anyway?

He took her to Redrock Canyon Grill for their first date night, a local favorite for watching sunset while you dine.  Kris messaged, “She has quite the appetite….and the cow bell just went off for sunset, and she wants to go ring it now.”   He continued, “I think I have {the cow bell ringing} under control now.”

When he sent this one:

“I miss you guys, but we are having a blast.  This is precious for Anna and me.” 

I knew sweet memories were being made.

In the meantime, John Henry and I had our own fun celebrating the wedding of a very close family friend – my God sister, Sandyn who married Captain Elic Colwell who is the brother of Lindsey Takle who is the wife of Dr. Leiv Takle, Jr. who is the brother of Kris Takle who is the husband of me.  Yes, six degrees….

And some pics just for funsies.

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(An itty bitty part of the wedding party, and John Henry doing his best imitation of my dad.)

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(John Henry with his cousins, Bella and Macie.)

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(My dad and son.  Two of my favorite men.)

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The groom, Elic, the bride, Sandyn…her sister, Brittany, Andy & Carson Thoms)

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I could’ve taken that little guy home with me.  For real.

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Oh, and me with my completely beautiful mama. 

That’s it.  We’re all tired.  And I’m happy to be back with my husband and fashion trailblazer.

How was your weekend?

 

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February 5, 2009 · 6:00 am

Wonder who will have the most eventful weekend?


I’m leavin’ on a jet plane.  I don’t know when I’ll be back again.  I really do know when I’ll be back.  Sunday.  Today, the little guy and I are headed south for one big wedding celebration.  John Henry will be bearing some rings, and I’ll be…Well, I’ll be waving and smiling at him as he walks down that aisle with those baby blues wearing a tux.  I really don’t have much of any consequence to write about today, not that this is any different from any other day.  But, thank you for indulging me still. 

Kris will be holding down the fort here in the great state of Oklahoma.  With Anna Takle. 

With Anna Takle.

Oh, what fun they are going to have.  He has promised to take her out on a date to some fancy schmancy restaurant where she can wear a dress and all the trimmings.  Why he seems to think he is going to win the fashion wars is nothing short of amusing, but he appears to be up for the challenge.   This fancy schmancy restaurant is Mahogany Prime Steakhouse – our date night of choice.  Anna, however, said that she prefers Mexican cuisine.  The girl loves chips and queso.  Can’t imagine where she gets that from, but it’s a trait I certainly admire.

I did offer to go ahead and make Anna’s lunch for pre-K on Friday, but Kris says he’s got it.  What he doesn’t realize is that he’s going to find himself pressed for time on Friday morning after spending most of it in Anna’s closet bribing her.  His choice.  Have fun, babe.  I do love you.  And, please take notes. 

Okay, that’s all I got.  For real. 

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February 3, 2009 · 6:00 am

The Bachelor got me thinkin’.


I haven’t been watching this season’s The Bachelor.  I really haven’t watched it in a lot of seasons.   But, I thought it necessary to tune in last night since it was sure to be the most dramatic rose ceremony ever.

I heard the poor guy call his son his “favorite person.”  I always tell Anna she is my favorite girl.  Kris seems to think I should refrain from calling her this due to the ‘what if’ factor.

‘What if’ factor?

What if we have another little girl?

Don’t go tellin’ tales out of school now.  I’m not “P.”  That’s what Bigmama calls it since saying *GASP* “pregnant” is not very polite of a Southern girl.

We’re kind of at that stage in life where I’m not getting any younger and Anna’s not getting any easier.  At least, not in the fashion department.  I could easily identify her lack of progress when she picked out these new skids.

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But, hey.  They’re shiny.  They sparkle.  They’ve got pizzazz.  And, what else really matters to a four-year old girl?  For real.

I’m really not sure what decision we’re going to make.  Although, it could make for some good blog material.  Hmm.  So, ya got knocked up for blog material. 

It sounds like Jason, um, the Bachelor, is open to more kids.  Bless his heart.  First, he has to make the most emotional decision of his life.  Ever. 

 

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