Category Archives: Friends and Family

Aug 30 2013
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Fitness, Friends and Family, Outdoor Fun, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Day 340: Just Something About a Swing

Just to prep you, this might be the most fun thing not only of the Year of Fun, but also ever.

The neighbor of the cottage in Michigan suggested we go find this rope swing that lives in the woods not too far off the road. Some children visited us today so we thought that might be the best time to look. Two children and four adults easily found the swings (there are two!) at the top of large sand/dirt hill hanging from a very sturdy tree. The climb up the hill was strenuous enough to leave my legs feeling achey (or maybe that was the fishing trip on choppy waters we took this morning–no fish, but also no barf so it was fun). Once we got to the top everyone tried the swing.

At first, I was a little nervous. It seemed like the swing required a lot of arm strength to hold yourself up. However, once the 2 and 4 year olds started doing it by finding a way to sit on one of the knots rather than stand, I knew I had to try. Because the swing goes out over the steep hill, I felt like I was very far off the ground. Yet that did not bother me. I was more caught up in what an amazing stress reliever it was. Everyone who tried it, let out of yell of joy (maybe some terror). I am certainly taking the hubs and friends (who arrived a little too late) every day for the rest of the weekend. I mean, these pictures say it all.

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Aug 29 2013
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Friends and Family, Games, Nightlife, Outdoor Fun, Theatre Fun

Day 339: Freeze

Tonight I found myself under two strands of twinkle lights playing freeze, an improv game I haven’t played since high school. It’s Labor Day weekend, so naturally I am in Michigan. I came early, because why not. The hubs and other friends come tomorrow night so our rad hosts (of Emily Alt Photography if you’re not reading her blog, well, I don’t know why you’re not so go read it after you finish this one for gorgeous photos, cool ideas and Michigan love) and I decided freeze was the way to spend our time.

Here is how to play: two people start a scene about anything. At any point during the scene other players (or in this case player) can say, “freeze.” The action stops and the player who called freeze takes the exact pose of one of the people, removing that person from the scene. They must then start a new scene using that body language. A super basic theatre game that we had excellent fun with, even though I was a little shy to start. I highly recommend it for your Labor Day gathering.

Also this:

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Aug 28 2013
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Chicago Specific Fun, Friends and Family, Fun for Couples, Nightlife

Day 338: New Friends?

The hubs and I met someone I used to work with and his gf at Fountainhead on Day 338. We had a great time as two couples trying each other out. It can be hard to go from coworkers to friends, but I think we managed that transition smoothly. I even promised them this would be the fun thing for today 🙂 We had a great time getting to know them better! I see a game night in our future.

P.S. Why is making friends as an adult so scary? Nothing about the dinner/drinks itself was scary, so why do I get all up in my head about it? Who doesn’t want more friends?!

P.P.S. Fountainhead is pretty cool and they have a stellar rooftop deck for the nice weather.

P.P.S.S. I don’t have anything to say here. I just wanted another ps.

Aug 27 2013
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Friends and Family, Fun for Couples, Nightlife, Online Fun

Day 337: Draft Day

First fantasy football draft. Check.

Tonight, friends from many different parts of my life (family, high school, old job, grad school, etc) convened online to form the fantasy football league, Slama. Ten people took just under one hour to draft all 15 rounds of players. I’m pretty happy with my team, though I did get a little stressed out since I had last pick (though that did mean I went twice in row each time, which was pretty useful).

Here’s the team. Thoughts?

Elphaba’s Revenge

QB- Peyton Manning
WR- AJ Green
WR- Hakeem Nicks
WR- Eric Decker
RB- Trent Richardson
RB- Chris Johnson
TE- Tony Gonzalez
K- Josh Brown
Defense- Cincinnati
Bench- David Wilson (RB), Mike Williams (WR), DeAndre Hopkins (WR), Josh Gordon (WR), Alex Smith (QB), Daryl Richardson (RB)

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Aug 26 2013
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Friends and Family, Guilty Pleasures, Nightlife, Pamper/Beautify, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Day 336: Arbonne

At the last minute, my co-worker Elizabeth had some extra space at an Arbonne party she was hosting, so she invited me. I did not really know much about Arbonne (I mean except that it is “good” face products) but I am so glad I do now.

I absolutely love everything I learned about the products–from the all natural ingredients to the animal testing policy (no testing on animals). Every product we tried smelled lovely and, even better, felt amazing on my skin. Recently, I have been on a crusade to rid my bathroom of antibacterial soaps because they kill all of the good bacteria (and I can’t afford to lose any of those). On NPR, I heard a story about how those same antibacterial ingredients are found in many face and body lotions, shampoos, deodorant and toothpastes (yes toothpaste!). I checked all of my labels at home and found them in many of the my other products. Arbonne sells all of these products (and more) yet all comply to same high standards they set for their make up and face lotions. They have even branched out into the world of supplements and juices–we did not even have time to go there at this party.

So….I’m super hooked. The only downside is it is a little pricey, so I’m starting with a facial care system and will move on from there…check them out.

Also, it was really fun hanging out with some of my co-workers outside of work. I am super glad I went!

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