I don’t have the little “Seven Quick Takes” logo available to me on this computer. Visualize one with me now … it’s yellow … with a big red “7″ … you are getting sleeeeeepy … you are going to wake up thinking this is the most brilliant blog post you’ve ever seeeen …

1. I am keeping my Lenten commitment by spending most of this week in Houston and letting my husband and brother-in-law and sister-in-law pay for everything. Probably not what the church has in mind, but it sure feels good to be on vacation.

2. I am fiercely budgeting for two extras upon our return: Easter candy and Slightly Older Princess’s 10th birthday. Ten! This simply ought not to be allowed. She has opted for the Harry Potter Best Birthday Party Ever, which at least I have done before. Wish I could slip an anti-aging potion into her cockroach clusters.

3. My favorite Easter candy is Russell Stover chocolate nests. They used to make green ones out of white chocolate, which were my very, very favorites, but lately all I can find are the milk chocolate ones, which I’ll accept as pretty good substitutes. Next on the list: Cadbury cream eggs. Pure melty sugary goodness.

4. Speaking of Easter, my family still quotes this M&M commercial, circa 1985: “Thanks, East’ Bunny!” “Bawk, bawk!”

5. Saw a news article recently about how women who drink gain less weight. Husband wondered aloud if perhaps it was simply that the husbands who drink, don’t care. I am currently plotting my revenge for that remark.

6. Heard on NPR this morning that Andrew Lloyd Webber has written a sequel to “The Phantom of the Opera,” and it opens tonight in London. Christine now has a 10-year-old son and the Phantom is running a freak show on Coney Island. I don’t know. All props to the man, but – did this need a sequel? Maybe I’m just a purist. What next, “Oklahoma: The Westward Migration”?

7. Speaking of musicals, the Lebanon Community Chorus is working on a medley from “Les Miserables” as part of its spring pops concert (save the date: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 18). Yours truly is once again part of the alto section. Susan Boyle I ain’t, but a fellow singer generously nominated me to join a trio to sing the intro to “I Dreamed a Dream.” It’s a near-monotone, almost chant – the rhythm is the biggest challenge – but it was nice to be singled out as someone who could maybe hold up her end in a small group. Thanks, Cathey! Y’all come listen, ya hear?