Playing....

Remember the childhood days of school? Getting up early, off to school, back home to homework, chores, family life...bed....and then all over again the next day.
Preparation for REAL life... Routine....Learning responsibility, endurance, unselfishness...finding out the world didn't revolve around us and what WE wanted to do...
But amidst all of those routine days, there was "play-time"...a time to check out of the DAILY, and have some fun...do something that was NOT required, something we enjoyed...took little thought or effort,...just FUN. Art, Etch-a-Sketch, Lite-Brite, Bike riding, a game of kick the can with friends, a hobby... and it was GOOD! Very healthy.

As Mary Engelbreit puts it...



Every morning and evening I go through the same mental checklists to make sure I have done everything that needs to be checked off for the daily to-do list. It makes the operations of this household stay on task...run more smoothly...cuts down on stressful moments of something left undone...

It involves house-work, people, and pets. Then there are petsitting jobs... And it never ends...

That's why I need a play-time...yes, even as a grown woman. I need something that I enjoy, have fun doing, requires so little intentional thought, it is just a natural escape from the DAILY...

And playing with my nest...my cottage on Woodberry, whether inside or out, is my play-time. Just a little escape every few days, to put off the backpack of tasks that sometimes burden me, bring some stress and worry, and simply let it all go. When I am out and about running errands, shopping for groceries, petsitting, taking another person to drop them off...I will take time to hit a Thrift store I am passing. It is fun, and a small moment in the day, that I drop the urgent and step outside the circle of "required"... If I do find a treasure, it gives me a smile...a cheap thrill, yet so valuable in this hurry up and wait lifestyle... a tiny moment of playing.

And later I will find a place for it at my nest. My haven from the outside world.
My place to walk into and feel comfort. A release. A letting go. Love...Family...Faith...Fun.

Playtime...

Do you have it?...If not....GET SOME! It's healthy. It's a necessary part of WeEkLy LiFe.. if only for a few moments. Remember those childhood days and the respite that it gave.

Escape.






pretty birdie plant stand...courtesy of Salvation Army store... It was brown wrought iron. I dry brushed it white...- Play-time...


hydrangeas (last of this season) courtesy of front yard.


White birdcage - courtesy of little resale shop...vendor shutting down her booth said name your price!...Been sitting in the back corner of my walk-in for months. Another one of those "for my someday dream porch" items. Got tired of seeing it sitting in there unused...


Put my favorite "whimsy" lamp inside. (dancing frogs on a lily pad) Put Green, Blue and White beach glass from the dollar store around it to look like water...
Play-time.... By the way, see the little girl holding the birdie...under the bird cage? Another one of the statues my mama gave me....clearing out her house...


Bird nest with pretty blue eggs...One of many around my NEST!... Iron cage, courtesy of local Goodwill store...Pretty china plate with blue flowers...Goodwill...White Flower Pot...garage!


Whimsy...and Play-Time.

I'll end today's "play-time post" with this little vintage game. Does anybody remember these little toys? Both of my grandmothers had them at their houses. We used to love playing with them. ( roll all of the little balls into the indented holes) I came across this cute bunny/egg one and could not resist it. Memories...and Playing. :-)


Thank you all for visiting and popping in. I have not had much time to post lately, and miss it. It seems like every day is filled with duties, petsitting work, and helping where I am needed...


I am going to connect with Kathleen today...since it is her weekly White Wednesdays postings. I seem to have whites today.


"Lone-Wolf" Woobie...seriously missing Playtime with da Marine....


Thank you again for continuing to remember our military heroes and for prayers lifted for our Justin...among others. God has kept him from serious injuries, and for this we are grateful, and we ask God to bless YOU!!!

Join Kathleen here for more whites, if you fancy seeing more ....
http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/