Tuesday, December 31, 2013

DAY 24 - Happy New Year! Oh and here's a mean email

We've had a family emergency and have been going back and forth between family members on how to handle it. A non-family member who thinks that they know more than they actually do, sent me an ugly email today. I'm trying to take the high road. I don't think I've succeeded. Then I get a call from daycare. They are closing early today because it's New Year's Eve. Eh...Happy New Year!

I did still manage to wish one of my friends happy birthday! That's good right?

DAY 23 - Still Sick

I had a brief reprieve on Sunday, but now my cold is back full force. I didn't do much today. My husband and baby are both home today as well. One thing I am planning to do is send a condolence card to a coworker who lost her mother recently.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

DAY 22 - Lunching

The word "lunch" was created in 1823 as an abbreviation to "luncheon." It's daytime, the prices are cheaper, and I still have the rest of the day to myself-- oh and my baby and husband. I love going to lunch with friends, although I'm not quite "a lady who lunches." Most of the lunches I go to are under the $20 mark!

After church I went to lunch with a friend. We had a grand old time chatting away in a wonderful Italian buffet. I typically hate buffets. I especially despise the buffet that my husband has nicknamed "The Golden Trough," but this buffet is intimate wonderful. The company was wonderful too. 

Saturday, December 28, 2013

DAY 21 - Saturday, Saturday

I am still not 100%, so today I slept a bit late. I had a relatively relaxing day. I went out for a nice dinner with my family. It was nice to chat with them and spend some time together. I also plan to see my dad tomorrow. We may go to a movie! He wants to see '47 Ronin,' but it's gotten really, really bad reviews. So I'm going to try to convince him to wait and see it at the $2.00 theater. 

Friday, December 27, 2013

DAY 20 - Half Way

I'm super sick today. I don't know how I keep getting the same cold, over and over again. It just keeps happening. The baby is in daycare and she seems to bring home every germ imaginable. *Sigh. In other news, I'm at the halfway point of my connection project and it's still hard. I've been emailing folks and messaging people for future meetups. Everything is in the works, but nothing much has occurred yet. I'm looking forward to seeing some people I haven't seen in a while! 

DAY 19 - Christmas Slump

The wrapping paper needs cleaning up and the decorations need taking down. I must have caught a Christmas cold because now my husband and I are both sick. Thank goodness our little one didn't catch this, but I think she carried it home. I just realized that I broke the rules the other day because I sent Christmas texts to most of my family and friends and received quite a few replies. One of my friends sent me a nice Facebook message telling me that she received my Christmas card.

One of my friends called me and we had a lovely conversation. She wanted to go to the movies. The film was quite a dramatic film, a little too dramatic for my current cheerful mood. I was sad not to spend time with her, but we are making plans for the near future.

In other news, one of the cats is spraying the house. He's been fixed and medically checked out. The only thing we can figure is that it's psychological. I bought this stuff called Feliway for Cats. It supposedly has some sort of feline pheromones in it that make cats feel safe. We'll see. Even my wood floors have not been safe. 

Thursday, December 26, 2013

DAY 18 - Merry Christmas

What a wonderful day. Today I called my mom, cooked a full five-course meal, had a Doctor Who viewing party all in one day. Whew! Oh and I made brownies later. This was another highlight! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. 

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

DAY 17 - Christmas is here!

Merry Christmas Eve! Today I spent some time with family for a wonderful lunch out. Then I went to a lovely Christmas Eve party. Most people don't like to go to parties on Christmas Eve, but what better time to eat, drink, and be merry than Christmas Eve! Met lots of people and I had wonderful conversations. 

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

DAY 16 - Trimmings and Tidings

Tonight I was one of those people. I went shopping for last minute Christmas gifts. I bought some stocking stuffers and a present for my husband. I also prepped for the week's festivities.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

DAY 15 - Friends, friends, and friends

Today I taught Sunday school and sung songs with the children in my church. I had a lot of fun with them. I also saw a friend I hadn't seen in a while. We chatted for a good long while! A few people mentioned the Christmas cards I sent them. I included a sweet little note in each card so each card was personalized. Then I had a multitude of errands to run. I finished my Christmas dinner shopping, bought a few stocking stuffers for my friends and family. Tomorrow I need to buy one last thing for my husband! 

DAY 14 - Epic Fail

Today, I really fell down on the "connection" job. I stayed home today, watched old episodes of 'Angel' and 'Buffy' on Netflix, wrapped a few presents, ate some leftover pizza and called it a day. Tomorrow will be a busy day.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

DAY 13 - Christmas is coming

First order of business. One of my neighbors was taken to the hospital by ambulance. When you live in a small neighborhood, everyone notices when someone is taken by ambulance to the emergency room. This may be forward, but after a few hours passed, I called the hospital and asked for their hospital room. I told my neighbors that if there was anything I could do, like make a meal or spend time with this person in the hospital, I would be glad to do it. I'm hoping and praying that this person recovers soon.

In other news, I went to a work-related Christmas party today and exchanged a few presents. I called a good friend who I hadn't spoken to in a while. We plan to go to a tea shop for brunch after the holidays. I still have a few more presents to buy. Christmas is coming and I'm not ready. Lots of presents to wrap. Lots of connection!

Thursday, December 19, 2013

DAY 12 - Christmas Cards

Oh my goodness. I never thought I would get all of these Christmas cards out. Now I know why I haven't sent cards out in a long time. The first problem were the cards themselves. The cards I bought were problematic. I bought them online so I didn't realize that the cards had a ton of glitter on each one. After sending 35 cards out, I have glitter in my hair, on my face, and on my clothes. I look like I'm going to a club for a night of dancing. And the envelopes would not stick. I had to tape each one. Negative online review here we come.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

DAY 11 - Grandma's Birthday

I called my Grandma and wished her a happy birthday. She's 95 years young and lively. Unfortunately, she can barely hear. My husband is not amused when I have to shout down the phone. I just wanted to call her and tell her that I love her and am thankful for her. I also ordered some Christmas gifts for several people. 

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

DAY 10 - Cupcakes

I brought some cupcakes for some colleagues who have December birthdays. Other than that I haven't done much today. I'm really trying to get back into the swing of things with regard to my goals of connecting. I'm looking forward to seeing some friends I haven't seen in a while this Friday!

Monday, December 16, 2013

DAY 9 - Fail

I don't feel like I really did much today. So I would consider today a fail. I sent a dear friend an email thanking her for a sweet gift. I have a few more gifts to order yet! Thank goodness for Amazon Prime free shipping.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

DAY 8 - Movie, Movie, Movie

Today I met with an old friend to see a movie at the $2.00 theater. I'm a huge movie buff, as you can tell from my other blog. So I already have a discounted popcorn bucket and occasional free movie tickets. My friend had preemptively purchased my ticket and soda, which was super sweet!

We saw one of the films I missed in theaters, 'Riddick.' It was OK. I more so enjoyed spending time with my friend. We enjoyed whispering throughout the movie. I know! I know. I try not to be one of those people. We really did keep our voices down. 

Saturday, December 14, 2013

DAY 7 - Presents

I didn't do much today in terms of connection, but I did order presents for my nieces and nephews. I ran some much needed errands: grocery store, auto store, pet store! Next week my Grandma turns 95 so I will definitely be giving her a call!

Friday, December 13, 2013

DAY 6 - Christmas is Coming

I looked online for some small gifts for friends and I am trying to prepare some Christmas cards. I plan to send Christmas cards out for the first time in a long time. It's a simple gesture, but it's nice. I just came to the realization that I probably haven't sent Christmas cards out in 10 years. Wow. I'm making a list and checking it twice!

DAY 5 - Talk the Talk

This connection thing is a lot harder than it looks. Finding a way to connect with someone every day in a different way is not as easy as it looks. Today I went to lunch with several work friends, went to visit a friend I hadn't seen in a while, and called a friend I hand't heard from in a few weeks. I also arranged for us to see a movie at the dollar theater sometime this coming week! Ok, whew!

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

DAY 4 - The Loss of a Loved One

Today I sent one of my childhood friends a card after the loss of her dear older brother. Her brother died suddenly at the young age of 39. She was my best friend growing up and he was always in the background, helping us with Nintendo video games, playing pranks on us, and joking around. He was a lovable guy. I wanted my friend to know that I am thinking of her and her family and that I love her. I've always thought that I have to send someone something elaborate, like flowers or a gift basket, but a card can be just as thoughtful. Better yet, none of us have any excuse to not send a card to a friend or loved one. I bought a collection of blank stationary cards so that I can send them out for any occasion. A card is a simple gesture, but it's meaningful. 

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

DAY 3 - Bible Study Group

So today I went to a friend's Bible Study Group for the first time. They have the function every two weeks and I've been invited before but I have never attended their particular group. As I am trying to purposefully connect with friends and family members for the next 40 days, I decided to take some time out of my busy schedule to join them. I was glad that I did as this was the last time they were going to meet for the remainder of the year because of the holiday season.

Going to a function on a weeknight at 7:00 p.m. may seem like a simple endeavor for most people and before I had a baby it was easy. Now that I have an infant, my priorities have shifted. Going to a social function on a weeknight means that my husband is automatically on baby duty. He's a really great husband and father, so he doesn't mind. However, I do like to be home so that we can share the workload, i.e. dinner, dishes, cleaning the house, and of course our baby. But it was nice to have some spiritual time and connect with friends for a two hours. 

Monday, December 9, 2013

DAY 2 - Connect with Friends

I haven't seen several friends (who also have children) in a while. It's probably been several months. I have been "meaning to" contact them and arrange a get-together, but I never did. Well today I did. I hope to hear back from them and I hope to set a date for a get-together soon. I would love to have a pizza/game night with them!

I have also contacted another friend about a social tomorrow. 

Sunday, December 8, 2013

DAY 1 - Visit with Neighbors

One out of two Americans don't know their neighbors names. That doesn't mean they dislike their neighbors. In fact quite to the contrary, most Americans are fairly positive about their immediate neighbors, they just don't know their names! Beyond saying good morning and good evening, I believe that neighbors, especially immediate neighbors should at least know each other's names (at least for emergency purposes). However, there are those who have crazy neighbors, so this doesn't apply to them. You can read more about that in the Forbes article here.

I am fortunate to live in an older neighborhood where the people are from a different generation. I know most of my neighbors by name. I also live in a fairly small neighborhood of about 45 homes. In my last neighborhood I only knew a few of my immediate neighbors. I guess that was not so unusual.

So I try to make it a point to connect with my neighbors. Today I attended church and visited with one of my neighbors. They live across the street. They are a wonderful older couple, who I enjoy spending time with. They also enjoy when I bring my little one along. We dined on cake, Chex Mix and coffee. We talked about the neighborhood, child rearing, a little politics, and the 50th Anniversary of the Kennedy Assassination. What a great time. The baby behaved too. She was unusually quite. I also admired their Christmas decorations, which were plentiful. 
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