7 Quick Takes Friday

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Joining Jennifer over at Conversion Diary for Quick Takes again....head on over and check it out (link in blog roll).

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1. Our Thanksgiving was relaxing and mellow. The big food hits were KB's orange and cranberry scones -oh yea- and homemade Baklava. The scones will be revisited this a.m. with tea at breakfast but the baklava was savored and polished off with relish last evening. I believe a new tradition has been birthed.

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2. A disturbing day for India yesterday. Disturbing is such a clean word. It doesn't do the horror and damage justice. A grievous day for India. A day of death and mourning.

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3. Read an awesome article this week on "genius," -I am going to figure out how to link things so that you can read it too- just probably not today : ) It distills world class excellence down to 10,000 hours, or roughly 10 years of investment of time, effort and passion. I've been reflecting on it a lot this week. What is it that I want to pour my time, energy into? How do I want to guide and direct the kids? What do I want to be really good at, focus on and excel at? What about you? What are you passionate about? What does the world need that you have to offer, that no one else can provide? What if we don't live 10 more years, what would be worth the investment even then?

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4. We are getting a live tree this year and going out on Sunday to cut it down. Our annual Christmas decorating begins this week-end. Woohoo! The house is so clean it would sparkle if it could. Popcorn, hot chocolate, Charlie Brown's Xmas CD playing in the background (courtesy of our friends, Laura and Bruce-see what you started?) and decorating! Sorry you'll miss it Miss. R but we took a vote and we decided that we wanted Xmas "up" for the whole season. We are saving the Gingerbread house for when you get here - arntcha' happy? : )

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5. CAIR, the Council on American Islamic RelationsMuslims wins lawsuit for 'fasting' and 'prayers' on the job. Chad Groening - OneNewsNow - 11/26/2008 5:00:00 AM
"An Arab-Christian woman and critic of Islam says it is unfortunate that Islamic intimidation is forcing American companies to give Muslims special privileges not afforded to other groups.
Under a settlement of a federal religious discrimination lawsuit, up to 100 Somali Muslims who are current or former workers of a St. Cloud, Minnesota, meatpacking plant will receive a total of $365,000. The U.S. Equal Employment Commission filed suit against Gold'n Plump, Inc., and the Work Connection, Inc., an employment agency which handled some hiring for the plant. Under the settlement, Goldn' Plump agreed to pay $215,000 to workers who were terminated for taking prayer breaks, and Work Connection will pay $150,000 to workers who were asked to sign a form acknowledging that they might be required to handle pork, which many Muslims consider unclean."
Lots of thoughts on that one but that would change the quick take format....

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6. KB, Flower and I are venturing out into town for the U.S' busiest shopping day of the year. I am not a shopper, stores are not my thing. KB has a gift card and coupons -this love.

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7. China buys up Citigroup's assets. A comic we enjoy has his marionette say about Asia, "We have all your money." Someone is laughing all the way to the bank.