Tuesday, August 17, 2010

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/

16 comments:

Nice and Easy Antiques said...

I so agree with you regarding play time, it just does good to my soul! Enjoy your special time, Julie!!!

billypandnikkysmom said...

Playtime, don't get enough of it GRRR!! I know we nee dit but I always find ONE MORE THING TO DO! Loved all of your little treasures, the danging frogs, they look like "Frog & Toad" from those childrens books, so cute!

Poor Woobie, he looks like he has had enough! They should make puppy deployment tee-shirts.... "Master is Deployed, This Dog Will Bite" poor pup, he'll be home soon Woobs, chin up & keep that tail wagging!

Prayers for your sweet Marine & all of our Military!

RAH MMS!

Theresa said...

I know you are busy with so many things up there and I am happy when I hear from you, that all is well with you and that our Justin is SAFE from serious injury! I am praying down here my friend!

I love your beautiful home and all of your sweet pretties! Love that birdcage with the froggies in it:)

Have a blessed evening! HUGs!

CACHANILLA73 said...

It is hard to have 'play time' as we grow up, we forget the inner child in us, I think Our Lord let us have some bumps in the road so we can learn to take it easy, to enjoy everyday.

My playtime is to read my Vanidades Magazine, since I can remember this magazine comforts me. Or to do some crosswords and of course thrifty hunting. ;)

Love the birdcage.... and of course I pray everyday for the safe return or Your Justin and all our Military Personnel and Veterans.

Blessings and hugs ;)

P.d. Still waiting for the answer on the claims and praying, praying, praying. ;)

Bella's Rose Cottage said...

Hi Julie... Thats what I have been craving... play time :-) Although my garden is a big play thing I am ready for inside nesting! Speaking of nesting the pretty pretty plantstand with the little birds is charming!
Happy WW!
Bella

Julie Harward said...

I wish I could have been there to play along with you! What fun you have had, I would love that! I also love your things, the birdcage looks so pretty like that too...am still saying prayers for him and all of them! :D

Dianna said...

Hello Julie,
Sounds as if you've been as busy as I have since I got home. I surely did enjoy my week of play time last week with Claire and Lilli! :-) Now that I am here at home I'm REALLY having "play-time"...canning! I LOVE to can. I have kidney beans and tomato juice to do today....treasures to line my shelves in the basement!

Josh comes on Saturday and then Grandma will have more "play-time". Praying that everything goes through that I'm planning with an old high school friend who works at the local airport. She is working at finding a pilot and plane to be available for Thursday so that Josh can have a tour, by the pilot, inside and out of the plane. :-)

Hopefully before much longer I can get back to posting on a regular basis. I miss it...but there is only so much time in a day. :-(

Take care, my sweet friend. Prayers going up for Justin every time I think of him. Praying for your momma also.

Rebecca said...

Thanks for bringing us along in your playtime-I enjoyed it too!

Sandi said...

Playtime is the BEST and I love all your finds. Those birdcages are beautiful!
Blessings~

Blue Ridge Altered Art said...

I love the birdcage and the plant stand. They are lovely. ~~Sherry~~

Sandy said...

It always makes me happy to come here
and see all of your pretty finds. We
are very much alike in what we enjoy
and collect. I agree that we all need
time to play!
Love,
Sandy

Privet and Holly said...

Gosh, Julie,
we are on the
same wavelength....
I was just thinking
about play time as
my baby is entering
middle school this
fall and won't have
recess any more.
That will be a hard
adjustment. That
led to me thinking
about adults not
building in playtime...
And here you have it : )
We've had fun out here
hitting the "GW's"
as we call them and
searching out treasures!
They are better here
than back home!
Justin's pup just tugs
at my heart. That boy
needs to get home SOON!
Big hugs today, from
me to you.
xx Suzanne
PS: Hope your mom
is doing well.

Virginia said...

Love play time too. It is so true what you said.
Your finds are all very pretty.
Blessings,
Virginia

Debbie said...

Soooo pretty! That cage is so sweet with the lamp inside! What a great idea using sea glass for "pretend" water. I like playtime at your house!
Debbie@houseatthelake

The Pleasures of Homemaking said...

Yes, I agree that play time is so important. I always try to carve out a little me time every day. Of course, it's much easier now my daughter is a teenager!

You always find the best things! I love the stand with the hydrangeas! The dancing frog lamp inside the birdcage is such a cute cute thing! Love it!

Manuela

GardenOfDaisies said...

I agree! We all need a little bit of time for something fun just for us... to recharge our batteries... so we can go back to doing all those important things for the loved ones in our life!