yearoffunsarah

Dec 14 2012

Day 81

It’s hard to want to do something fun when I’ve spent most of my day following the story of today’s tragic shootings. Our normally boisterous box office was silent as more and more details came in and we listened to our President speak, all of us tearing up thinking about the totally innocent lives lost. I’m at a loss for what to say or do and it has been quite some time since a violent act has weighed on my soul so heavily.

Honestly, all I could think to do was look to Facebook and Twitter and see what people, friends and celebrities alike, had to say. Many were sending out prayers and love. Others wanted to get to their children and hold on tight. And still others wanted to take action–writing their congressperson and signing petitions. Obviously, the debates surrounding gun control in this country have been going on for longer than I have been alive and are probably more complex than I will ever know. So I don’t mean to oversimplify but it just seems to me that the kind of weapon this young man used to slaughter children should not be in the hands of anyone who is not an active duty soldier. This was neither a weapon used for hunting game nor a heirloom proudly displayed on a shelf. It is not necessary for protecting a home. Too many mass shootings have occurred in recent history to justify personal ownership of assault rifles.

So while I did have some fun this morning and I will probably have some tonight, I am choosing not to write about those things and would instead like to take this opportunity to ask those that read this blog, be they very few or very many, to consider writing to their congressperson as I did just now.

Dec 13 2012

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Day 80: Dog Park

I had the day off today and instead of just going for a walk, I decided to take Elphie to the dog park right near our home. It’s close enough and she loves it enough that every time I walk her she thinks that is where we are going. Instead I always steer her the other way, much to her dismay I imagine.

Today, as we headed there, I remembered the last time I was actually there with her. It was about a year ago. I had just spent about two weeks in bed recovering from a spinal tap to check for meningitis and the hubs was taking Elphie to the dog park, as he did most nights during this time. To his surprise, I said I wanted to go with. We bundled up together and walked to the park. It was empty and snow covered. I sat on a bench and watched Elphie and my husband play fetch. I remember feeling encouraged by the trip out, rejuvenated by the fresh winter air and hopeful that it was the start of recovery from a dark period during which I felt extremely sick and sore all the time. At the time I did not know that recovery would take much longer than I had expected. But today taking Elphie there and playing fetch with her myself allowed me to recognize how much has changed and how much better I feel. It also reminded me to continue to take advantage of my good health now.

Also she played with an adorable four month old puppy and came home only to plop on the floor and look like this. For hours.

Dec 12 2012

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Around the House/DIY, Holiday Fun, Solitary Fun

Day 79: Presents! Presents! Presents!

Before I left for work today, I spent my morning wrapping presents! I feel like I just keep saying how much I love the holidays, but it is so true! I’m just going to keep doing holiday fun stuff until December 26.

When I buy wrapping paper each year, I like to unite the look of the gifts. (Last year, I choose glitter paper and have subsequently been banned from purchasing this item at ANY time in the future. It was a serious mess). This year I went with paper that feels like parchment paper in browns and reds with deep colored bows. I also, for the first time, bought ribbon to match. I experimented with it a little this morning, though I did not get all the wrapping done. Oh well, more fun for me tomorrow!

Dec 11 2012

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Fun for Couples, Holiday Fun, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Day 78: Cards Glorious Cards.

Much earlier this year, I designed a holiday card and tonight the hubs and I addressed and signed them. I found this activity quite fun while the hubs viewed it more as a chore. (Though I think even he will admit that, ultimately, he had fun).

Addressing things and writing by hand too much can cause me to cramp up or get sore, so we made it in to an assembly line of sorts. I wrote the name of the addressee, a little greeting and my signature while he did his signature, the return stamp and the actual addresses. Doing it this way allowed us to actually do it together and it also means that they really are from both of us!

Our hope is that our holiday card will help spread some of the joy that we’ve been lucky enough to experience in the last year and that I am trying to create every day.

Dec 10 2012

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Chicago Specific Fun, Food/Drink Fun, Friends and Family, Guilty Pleasures, Holiday Fun, Reader Suggested Fun

Day 77: Christkindlmarket

It’s Guilty Pleasure Monday and the fun is a reader suggested activity! My friend Sarah suggested I meet her at the Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza. Conveniently located right near her work, Sarah has been more than once, so she showed me where to find the nesting dolls, indoor ornament stores and nutella crepes. I, unfortunately, came full from lunch so did not get to sample the crepes but I did makes some purchases while moseying around catching up with my friend.

Both of my purchases were unique for me; a bird ornament with a feather actually coming out the tail and a Tibetan Singing Bowl. The bowls caught my attention just by being gold and shiny. I thought, “what cute little bowls to put jewelry or something in.” The man working the booth (Tibetan?) told me that they sing and then demonstrated. With a wooden stick he circled the outside of the bowl creating a lovely, pure note. He mentioned they are used in meditation and yoga rooms and are meant to calm. The first time I tried it, it didn’t totally work for me, but I wanted it anyway. He wrapped it up and gave me some notes on my technique. (Obviously I practiced as soon as I got home and I am happy to report I can create the tone almost as well as this man. And it is quite soothing).

Most of the booths contain ornaments and other items handcrafted in other countries. (Hence why there are Tibetan Singing Bowls in a holiday market). Many of them are from Germany and the rest of Europe. You can also get cuckoo clocks, beer steins and many a wooden toy. I highly recommend checking this market out. It’s even worth a special trip to loop if you don’t regularly go there.