yearoffunsarah

Nov 11 2012

Day 48: Secret Santa Part 1

My sister and friend left today to continue their road trip to Indiana, dropping me off at work on their way. Lately at work, I’ve been scheming about how to insert more fun in to our days. (If you read this blog regularly, you probably think no effort necessary, but I maintain that we can always have more. Oh and why not make it holiday themed?) One idea I’ve been floating is secret santa. Most people seem excited by this prospect, so tonight I laid out the little slip of paper that will have the name of a participant on it and will also give the spending limit and a few “guidelines.”

Because our whole department does not all work at the same time and it would be difficult to get the twenty of us together for our own holiday party (especially because we have a show running in December), I am proposing that we spread it out, giving two small and one larger gift over the course of a few weeks and only revealing identities in the last gift. We can leave these secret gifts on desks, in lockers or have them delivered by someone from another department. Planning this is my fun today because I do really enjoy coordinating these kinds of group activities and events, considering the many secret santa format options, choosing one that will work for our schedule and implementing (after running it by a few people first). I hope everyone is on board!

Nov 10 2012

2 Comments

Around the House/DIY, Chicago Specific Fun, Friends and Family

Day 47: Young House Love

A few weeks ago, my sister told me about a blog called Young House Love written by a couple who tackled the task of renovating their old, wood-paneled home using DIY techniques and a lot of time and patience. They took four and half years to get it to their taste. Now they live in a new house with similar challenges and blog full time. They also just published a book that my sister, her best friend and I all preordered so that we could go together to a book signing with these bloggers turned authors at the Chicago West Elm.

After waiting in line for three and a half hours (don’t worry, we brought chairs and were sitting almost the whole time), we finally met Sherry and John, took pictures with them and had our books signed. So much was fun about this experience (especially the free cookies and hot chocolate we got while waiting) but the best part was probably the time the three of us spent reading the book, looking at projects and talking about what we’d each like to do in our own homes.

The intro to the book is totally inspirational and reading it made me feel like I could do many of these projects, as the couple themselves had no experience with renovation when they started. The biggest idea I took from it is that your home should be something you love and that makes you smile every day. And that walking in to a room you made beautiful is satisfying on so many levels. I foresee many fun projects in my future…

Nov 09 2012

1 Comment

Uncategorized

Day 46: Disposable Camera Challenge Part 1

This comes from another suggested activity–take pictures with real film! Because my film camera currently resides at my parents’ house, I took it one step further and created the disposable camera challenge wherein I buy a disposable camera (the guy at the Walgreens photo counter didn’t even think they still sold them), take that disposable camera to work, and proceed to take a whole role of film in one day.

My coworkers and I had a lot of fun taking pictures with each other. I also asked them to each try a self portrait and I left the camera with them while I went on a break… Not being able to see the results set us free from the pressures of taking a perfect picture to be immediately posted to social media. Also, the sounds those cameras make, the loud click, the winding of the dial, took us back in time. It felt like middle school or summer camp or something as equally nostalgic.

Getting the film developed and pictures printed will surely be Part 2. I’m excited to see how they turned out!

Nov 08 2012

1 Comment

Fitness, Fun at Work, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Solitary Fun

Day 45: Stairway to Work

Some challenges to my mobility I avoid and others I meet head on. One I have been avoiding for months is the staircase leading up to the theatre where I work. It is a double wide, double long set of stairs that goes from the main level of the pier up to the theatre. Most people use this every day to get to work or to get lunch.

I have had huge problems with stairs since my knees have been inflamed and, since I have to take them in my apartment building, I avoid them everywhere else. When I do have to take stairs I usually take them one at a time putting all the pressure on my right leg and none on the left, so the left one is really weak from lack of use.

For the most part, I try to park on the same level as the theater itself so I can just waltz by these stairs and maybe shoot them a nasty look. If I have to go down to the main pier level, I take the elevators and usually think about the mechanics of having elevators on a structure built over the water. Hmm.

Today, however, I parked on the main level (because I wanted some Jamba Juice) and started toward the elevators, but something stopped me. Recently, my knees have been much better so I decided to make an attempt. It might not have looked pretty but, using the railing for support, I took those steps the regular way, one foot in front of the other. I feel so good now, like I accomplished something. And also relieved that I won’t have to take that sketchy elevator anymore. I wish I had a picture to show of me celebrating like Rocky at the top of the steps.

Nov 07 2012

Day 44: Dog Love Letter

Recently I saw a post on Facebook that said something to effect of “Some days are just bad days. Accept it and move on.” I remember it because, at the time, I thought to myself, “That is just the kind of thing I’m working against with my blog.” However, today, for the first time since I started writing this blog, I had a crummy day. I didn’t really accomplish anything and I was in a bad mood–I think because I did not get a lot of sleep and I, unfortunately, let missing my acupuncture appointment derail my whole day. (I missed it because of a car/key situation that I won’t get in to details about here). I just felt bad/tired/mad/bored all day.

I think some people, when they feel this way, are able to say, “oh well’ and just watch tv and relax and realize tomorrow will be better. But I, on the other hand, start to feel bad about all the things I’m not accomplishing by being in this bad mood and, therefore, worsen the mood further.

My spirits did improve when my husband came home from work and then more when we went out to dinner with a friend, but I would say the thing that really perked me up was playing with my dog after dinner. It’s probably pretty clear, if you’ve been reading this blog, that I LOVE this dog. She is quirky, funny, cute, sometimes annoying and needy but very lovable and sweet.

We played two of our favorite games. Well, I don’t know if she actually likes the first one. I don’t totally either because it just involves my husband messing up the fur around her face and then us laughing at her crazy appearance. (Sometimes I think it is mean, but sometimes I laugh anyway–see pictures below). Her absolute, by far, favorite game, though is fetch. She will fetch anything anytime anywhere. Tonight we played with one of her small rawhide bones. I throw, she chases and brings it back. Sometimes she throws it for herself (or really launches it out of her mouth somehow) which is actually the best.

I’ve heard that pets improve your mood, mind, even life expectancy. And I could write much more about companionship, unconditional love and loyalty. But let’s just say that when I need a pick me up, obviously I know I can count on family and friends, but I can also just pick up one of the many pieces of bone that is always underfoot, throw it and watch as this dog goes after it like she’s never seen it before and I have just given her the best gift she could ever imagine.

Also, she gives high fives. Which is pretty cool.