Friday Fun

Seeing as how I am still reading my Friday Reads choice from about a month ago, I'd say it's time to move forward with something else right now.  And I don't know about you, but I am in need of some FUN in life.  This all work and no play is for the birds.  Angry birds, that is.

So, yes, I am still reading Lost and Found, and really do love it.  Sadly, I just don't have the time or inclination to read often right now.  I have figured out that when I am this busy at work, I really have to just do NOTHING on down time.  Nothing is good.  Nothing allows me to watch Revenge and Modern Family and maybe a little Y & R every now and then.

I was looking on a few of my favorite websites yesterday and came across 5 Loves and a Dud over on Chick Lit is Not Dead.  First of all, I love any of these questionnaires that can tell us more about the people we are reading.  I almost feel like I know them after reading something like that.  And of course, I always want to write one of these myself.  So my Friday Fun is about 5 Loves and a Dud.

5 Loves:

1. Down time.  I have to say, if there is anything I have learned to love in the past two months, it's a little down time.  Unfortunately, I haven't experienced it enough lately, but when I do, it's literally the best part of my week.  Sad, I know.  The biggest problem I have is when I do have an occasional moment to myself, I can't unwind or relax.  I will always be a work in progress I guess.
2. Inappropriate Thursdays.  Yes, I said it, and I pray that no one at Corporate reads this blog.  For whatever reason, things will get a little raunchy at work on those days and we will sit and giggle like 12 year-olds about the stupidest things.  For instance, yesterday Debbie was desperate to fit the word tongued into her Words with Friends game, which led us to a discussion of whether it was even a word (it is!), and then of course we had to fit it into a sentence.  Not pretty, and I'm sure I revealed too much, but boy did we giggle.  I'm giggling thinking about it now.

3. Sunday Comfort Meals.  There is something to be said about working all day on Sunday, then coming home to a glass of wine and preparing a meal that will comfort old and young.  A few weeks ago I made sausage lasagna roll ups, and it was the most heavenly experience.  It makes it all okay, and I find myself ready to face the week a little better then.  Mmmmm, love comfort meals.

4. Going to Movies.  Here is another thing I just don't do enough.  I love, love, LOVE, going to movies.  It is one thing that never disappoints me.  Even if the movie is just okay, I still have the popcorn.  I loved the hushed theater.  I love thinking about how the writers, directors, and editors worked behind the scenes to create the movie.  I love it all.  And then when there's a movie with Ryan Gosling?  Wow... I think that says it all.

5. Books.  I can't explain my obsession with books.  It is the one true thing in my life that has been a constant since I was a kid... besides the whole skating thing.  They comfort me in a way I can't describe, but I'll try.  We all know I'm not reading much right now, but it hasn't stopped me from weekly trips to the library and scouring the web for new books.  I want to see what's coming out, who's writing what, and what's popular.  I keep checking books out thinking my down time will consist of reading an entire book in one sitting.  Not so much, but it's not for lack of trying. 

One Dud

1. Guilt.  Nothing can ruin a mood, moment, or life even, than a giant plate of guilt.  Maybe it's a woman thing or a Catholic thing, but I have been guilty my whole life, and quite frankly, I'm sick of it!  I know I will never be "guilt-free", but I am trying to manage it a little bit better.  I am caring a little less about what other's think, which is #1 in the Guilt Commandments.  I'm just trying to figure out what I like and letting go of the baggage of my thoughts.  Stop laughing... I'm really trying. 

So there you have it... 5 Loves and a Dud on a Fun Friday.

I hope you can have a Fun Friday too!

pause

Did you ever wish there was a pause button in life?  A secret panel we could go to that could either pause, fast-forward, or even rewind moments during our day?  Some days it seems that we may be stuck in one of those modes, either in fast-forward or the dreaded slow-motion work day.  


It is clear to me that everyone around me is in the same boat in a lake called Chaos.  When I talk to other moms it's as if busy was a competition and everyone is trying to win.  Kids are over scheduled and under-slept.  Hell, we are over-scheduled and under-slept.  I don't know anyone who is living the life of their dreams, and that is probably the saddest statement I have ever written.  


In the past month I have been trying to get a grip on my mood swings, and honestly feel better than I have in a while.  However, I have noticed that the things I love to do have fallen by the wayside and I am still trying to fill the planner instead of finding some open space.  I have completely missed the pause button.  


One of my learn to skate parents buried her husband on Saturday.  He was in his 40's and had been sick for quite some time.  She was in yesterday with her daughter, and all I could do was hug her to let her know that she wasn't alone.  I barely know her, and yet I felt compelled to comfort this broken woman.  I don't know if it helped her, but in an odd way I felt better.


So last night I made a decision to pause at least once a day to try and remember what life is all about.  It isn't about winning, working the hardest, and having the most things.  It's about surrounding yourself with the people and things you love, so that even Lake Chaos feels less wavy.  


I know our lives won't change anytime soon, so you might as well learn to go with the flow and enjoy who you're with and what you're doing.  


And every now and then pause to remember why you're here.