Amy's Facebook
Amy's Blog
Day 3: 2011 Have More Fun Challenge
No matter how you look at it, some days just aren’t fun. And nothing you do can possibly change that kind of bad energy. After all, if every day was a mountaintop experience, it would get pretty old after awhile, right?
I was so overwrought with rather debilitating family responsibilities that I forgot all about my own challenge. What most people would consider “fun” … activities that make you laugh, giggle, scream, and feel good … were completely AWOL on Day 3, but I did manage to have a little fun in the shower (oh, that came out wrong) and enjoyed myself in bed (oh, that came out wrong too).
The shower is a warm and blissful sanctuary where I only have to focus on remembering the same routing tasks: wash hair, condition hair, wash face, wash body, shave my legs (if it’s summer or a special occasion). It’s not rocket science, but when I have a lot on my mind I often end up trying to blow dry hair gunked up with cucumber & aloe conditioner. It works better when it’s rinsed out first. When my daughter returned from studying abroad in Africa for five months she told me one of the things she missed the most about home was the shower. In the home of her host family, she had to bathe herself standing in a bucket.
I’m going to show my age now, but I think going to bed is fun. Not rolling around and breathing heavy, but just lying and sleeping in it. Flannel sheets are heavenly on a cold winter day. Sleep is fun because it blocks out the world and allows you to get lost in LaLa land, if only for a few hours.
I hope you had more fun on Day 3 than I did… all I managed was a glowing complexion and some rapid eye movement. Tomorrow is bound to be better!
Your turn. What did you do for fun?
Day 2 – 2011 Have More Fun Challenge
Okay, so I’ll admit it. This challenge hasn’t started out the way I planned. I had to work pretty hard to have fun on Day 1, and Day 2 was even tougher. You see, I’m stuck in the middle of a sandwich… an ooey, gooey, responsibility sandwich, and it has seriously impacted my fun quotient.
After taking a hard fall last week, my elderly father was hospitalized for a couple of days with some broken ribs. Being 79 and unsteady on your feet is a tough gig by itself, so the social worker and the doctors thought it would be best for Dad to come home with me for a while.
I love him to the moon and back, but he’s a high maintenance kind of patient. That means I’ve spent more time with my nursemaid responsibilities than I have enjoying myself…or working, for that matter. But yesterday I did squeak out a little fun in my day. My hubby and I made some amazing enchiladas together. Of course, I could have done it myself – and the timer would have gone off much sooner – but the fun was in the process! We spent an hour in the kitchen laughing and enjoying each other’s company. And of course, the end result was positively yummy!
So that was my fun for the day… what was yours?????
***********************************************
Day 1: 2011 Have More Fun Challenge
January 1, 2011
Being a grown-up is tough duty. Millions of Baby Boomers are caught in the middle – trying to find ways to juggle work, marriage, and taking care of both children and elderly parents. Forget about taking care of yourself and fostering a good marriage. Even if you are still a greenhorn and have yet to experience these middle age stress castles, I have no doubt you take your life too seriously at times, as well.
I am bound and determined to have a whole lot more fun in 2011 than I did in 2010. Interestingly, there are scads of other social networkers feeling the same way. So... I am officially throwing out the gauntlet on THE 2011 HAVE MORE FUN CHALLENGE! The goal is to do something fun every single day.
It could be something big like jumping out of a plane, or perhaps a more mundane activity, such as curling up on the coach and watching a movie with your sweetie. Having fun isn't rocket science. Take a break and treat yourself. Laugh a little each day; sometimes laughter is your most effective weapon. Eat goofy food on your very best dishes. Play a new video or board game. Take a class that has always intrigued you. Go dancing, take Zumba classes, dance in the rain. DO SOMETHING! Run away from home every once in a while; take your spouse and your kids on a vacation – even if it is just for a weekend. Then stay off the computer and tell your friends and family not to contact you unless it is an extreme emergency. Stretch yourself.... really do some of the things on your bucket list. The key is to get out there and enjoy life.
Every evening I will be posting on Linkedin, Twitter, my blog, and on Facebook, what I did for fun that day. Even though I am the primary caregiver for my elderly father at the moment, my husband and I managed a few minutes of alone time and walked the dogs out on the lake. We played Wii tennis, a couple games of Scrabble (I pretty much whooped him) and then we sat back and watched a sit-com. Laughter is good medicine. I also managed to show my dad just how much I love him.
Will you accept my challenge? What did you do for fun today?
* * * * * * *
Facing the Dragon
December 8, 2010
I loved the book. To read all the horrible things the Parnell family has been through and all their struggles, and then to know what an amazing, loving, respectable family they are now is truly amazing. A definate must-read for everyone, especially those who may be struggling with an addiction themselves and need inspiration to get help and turn their lives around. ~ Reader Review
I just got finished with this book and WOW is all I can say... I am also in recovery from methamphetamine and the 2 times that I have heard David speak they just really hit home. I can relate to lots!! Congrats on a very inspiring book! It is GREAT!!! Good work, God Bless to you and yours. ~ Reader Review
Two people on my Christmas list requested an autographed copy of your book David. Of course one of these is our daughter Ashlee as I had already told you. I hope to be able to see you somewhere between now and Christmas to get you to autograph the books. This book is so awesome facebook friends. You won't regret reading it. I couldn't put it down once I started. It sure gives hope to so many. Amy.. God bless you for standing behind David. ~ Reader Review
New Release!
Facing the Dragon
December 3, 2010
Autographed books are available through both authors, www.facingthedragon.org, www.amyhagberg.com. It's also availalbe through book stores.