Making our own Fun

Living in a small rural community you learn to make your own fun.  Ray was out of town this week at a golf tournament with some guys and I figured I should be having some girl fun.  So I started  the following message to a few friends:

Me: Anyone up for lunch this week?

That led to this:

S:  Yes

C:  Anytime Thursday would be great for me.

Me:  Thursday doesn't work for me.  How about Friday or today?  I could whip up something and we could all come to my house.

R:  I am on a 500 calorie a day diet.  No day is good for me unless I bring my own lunch and that wouldn't be fun.  Go ahead without me.  xo

S:  Why are you on a 500 calorie a day diet?  That doesn't seem good for you.  We don't have to do lunch.  We could get together and talk for a couple of hours.  We could have carrot sticks and celery to munch on.  Or not.  We can just sip lemon water.  The point is to get together.  Not eat.

Me:  I say we do something Friday.  Maybe if the weather warms up we could go for a stroll and visit.

R:  Friday is fine for me, just tell me when.  Maybe we could play Bridge, Cribbage, or Pinochle.  Does anyone know how?

Me:  Actually I know how to play all three. 

S:  Oh my gosh!  This would take us into our old age perfectly!  I played Pinochle once and it was really fun.  But I don't remember how...and we can sip herb tea in china cups and saucers.

C:  Plan it and I will come if I can.

Me:  Done.  Come to my house Friday at 1:00.  We can play cards, visit, eat celery, and drink water from goblets or china cups.

R:  I will bring my spice cinnamon herbal tea.

S:  And I will bring my lemon, grapefruit, and lime essential oils.  Can we maybe learn to play Pinochle?  That would be fun!  Should we wear hats and gloves?

Me:  Hats and gloves are optional, just wear your "Roosevelt best" and don't be late!

So I spent this afternoon not having lunch, but playing Pinochle and laughing with my friends.  I am betting we had every bit as much fun as Ray and the guys did playing golf. 

Spring has Sprung

It has been spring break here.  Seems like it's been spring break for a month or more, depending on the school you are thinking about.  When I was in school, and especially teaching school, I loved spring break.  Even though spring break, for us, doesn't have anything to do with school any more, I love it for other reasons.  After all who doesn't like spring and who doesn't like a break?  It just sounds so nice.

I was thinking the other day how happy I was that  the sun was shining and that the wind wasn't blowing.  It made me smile to wake up and hear birds, and I have enjoyed seeing the neighbor kids out playing in their yard.

As much as I enjoy spring, it also sets me into a bit of a panic.  Springtime means projects.  House cleaning, window washing, fertilizing, pruning, trying to decide if we are going to plant a garden this year, etc.  And it seems before we can even settle into spring our summer is booked!  How does that happen?

I've had a lot of time to think about my love hate relationship with spring while I have been out pruning the never ending bushes and trees in our yard.   Funny thing, what started off as a job I was dreading turned out to be somewhat satisfying.  So I got to thinking, I must figure out a way to enjoy this journey through springtime a little more.  At that moment I decided rather than focusing on how much there is to do, I should take inventory on how much I've done.  This little adjustment in my mind has done wonders for me and I has made it so I can hardly wait to get another project checked off my list and be a step closer to being able to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

I hope I don't drive Ray crazy when he gets home and I drag him to see each cupboard, closet, and shelf  that I've uncluttered, cleaned, and organized.   

Now I just need to get the basin weather to cooperate.