Something to look forward to
Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 12:15 pm
One of the things I've always thought important in life, is to have something to look forward to. Things off on the horizon for which you can plan and that bring a smile to your face just thinking about them. I know people who don't put this philosophy in to practice and they just don't seem very happy to me. They always seem a little down. It doesn't really take much - just an event or two. For me, that's enough to get my mind conjuring up all sorts of fun ideas!
For a while, it was difficult for me to plan anything. I just didn't have the strength or energy to do things - even fun things. I felt an enormous sense of loss in not being able to do the things I'd always loved so much. The other thing is, it's very difficult to be creative when you don't feel well. It's a bit of a struggle just to get through the normal activities of the day, let alone trying to think of something new and creative. Now that I'm feeling better, my creative juices are flowing and I find just can't stop thinking of things to do, places to go, meals to make, books, music, movies, adventures that await - I can't wait to do it all!
Some of the things on my horizon...
A five concert series that's held at the L.A. County Arboretum from June to September. We have tickets for four of the shows, and the same music organization puts on a free summer kick-off concert at Centennial Square, just outside of City Hall. I already have picnics planned for each show! (That's another post...)
A one week trip to LaConner, Washington in early July. My sister and her husband bought a vacation home up there two years ago and Kevin and I haven't been yet. The house is just off of a boat dock where we can watch the boats pass by. It's also about an hour away from BC, so I think we're going to travel up there for a day of sight-seeing, too. Her husband's family lives in Seattle and my nephews are going to school up there, so there will be a big family gathering or two while we're up there. I have a couple of things planned to help make it even more fun. We are going to ship an electric ice cream maker up there as a housewarming gift. One of the nights I'll set up a sundae bar for everyone to enjoy. The other thing I'm planning is a wish ceremony. I bought a package of wish paper to take with us and we can all make our wishes and let them fly into the night sky. I can't wait!
Some neighborhood gatherings. I'm thinking the first gathering of the season - probably around mid-May, will be an ice cream taste test. Three brands of vanilla ice cream, which one is the winner. I'll have a table full of toppings to go with, or not, and I'll make up score sheets. We can all get out and enjoy the sunshine, have a little bit of fun, and talk about what our next event will be. We usually try to do at least one big BBQ and a couple of outdoor movie nights. We have several new neighbors, so we'll see what shakes out.
A big birthday celebration for Kevin (my hubby) who turns 50 this year! I started planning it in January and I've got all kinds of things in the works! He is in two different bands and I thought it would be fun to have each band play 5 or 6 songs. The party will be held outdoors in our front yard/driveway area. All of our neighbors know he plays drums, so they won't be too shocked. Besides, they'll all be invited to the party. It will be a fun time, and I know he'll love it.
I thought of a really fun 'experience' gift for my mother in law for Christmas. Part of the gift is visiting the top nine places in L.A. that serve this type of Mexican coffee that she loves. I have a gift basket already created in my mind and the rest of the gift is the three of us going once a month to one of the places listed in the article. She'll be thrilled! Kevin thought it was a great idea, too!
So what's on your horizon? What are you looking forward to?
For a while, it was difficult for me to plan anything. I just didn't have the strength or energy to do things - even fun things. I felt an enormous sense of loss in not being able to do the things I'd always loved so much. The other thing is, it's very difficult to be creative when you don't feel well. It's a bit of a struggle just to get through the normal activities of the day, let alone trying to think of something new and creative. Now that I'm feeling better, my creative juices are flowing and I find just can't stop thinking of things to do, places to go, meals to make, books, music, movies, adventures that await - I can't wait to do it all!
Some of the things on my horizon...
A five concert series that's held at the L.A. County Arboretum from June to September. We have tickets for four of the shows, and the same music organization puts on a free summer kick-off concert at Centennial Square, just outside of City Hall. I already have picnics planned for each show! (That's another post...)
A one week trip to LaConner, Washington in early July. My sister and her husband bought a vacation home up there two years ago and Kevin and I haven't been yet. The house is just off of a boat dock where we can watch the boats pass by. It's also about an hour away from BC, so I think we're going to travel up there for a day of sight-seeing, too. Her husband's family lives in Seattle and my nephews are going to school up there, so there will be a big family gathering or two while we're up there. I have a couple of things planned to help make it even more fun. We are going to ship an electric ice cream maker up there as a housewarming gift. One of the nights I'll set up a sundae bar for everyone to enjoy. The other thing I'm planning is a wish ceremony. I bought a package of wish paper to take with us and we can all make our wishes and let them fly into the night sky. I can't wait!
Some neighborhood gatherings. I'm thinking the first gathering of the season - probably around mid-May, will be an ice cream taste test. Three brands of vanilla ice cream, which one is the winner. I'll have a table full of toppings to go with, or not, and I'll make up score sheets. We can all get out and enjoy the sunshine, have a little bit of fun, and talk about what our next event will be. We usually try to do at least one big BBQ and a couple of outdoor movie nights. We have several new neighbors, so we'll see what shakes out.
A big birthday celebration for Kevin (my hubby) who turns 50 this year! I started planning it in January and I've got all kinds of things in the works! He is in two different bands and I thought it would be fun to have each band play 5 or 6 songs. The party will be held outdoors in our front yard/driveway area. All of our neighbors know he plays drums, so they won't be too shocked. Besides, they'll all be invited to the party. It will be a fun time, and I know he'll love it.
I thought of a really fun 'experience' gift for my mother in law for Christmas. Part of the gift is visiting the top nine places in L.A. that serve this type of Mexican coffee that she loves. I have a gift basket already created in my mind and the rest of the gift is the three of us going once a month to one of the places listed in the article. She'll be thrilled! Kevin thought it was a great idea, too!
So what's on your horizon? What are you looking forward to?