LL Bean PJ Party

The Fiend and I have a tradition. It was born from another Gillman Girl’s tradition.

Every year my mother gives my sister, myself and now the Fiend new pjs for christmas eve. Best. Tradition. Ever.

So one Christmas Eve, the Fiend and I were rocking the new jammies. I thought, we really shouldn’t keep these jammies from the world, they are too awesome. Let’s take them out!

The only place in our neck of the woods open late on Christmas Eve is LL Bean. Not really a problem cause that place rocks.

So we bundled up and headed out. We wore our jammies, ran around the store, picked our first presents at midnight and ended the evening relaxing in front of the fireplace under the giant moosehead.

And thus a tradition was born.

And this year we’re taking you with us intrepid reader.

Ready?

Set?

Go!

Making Your Own Fun

My friend once told me doing things with me was never boring.  I think that’s true of everyone.  We all lead complicated lives.  I just talk about mine more.

 

I’m rarely bored.  But I’m also open to possibilities.  I think the two are pretty closely related.  Perhaps because I’m open to possibilities I end up with more of life’s little surprises.

 

Life is certainly not a straight road.  There are so many twists, turns, bumps and dead ends.  How could that ever become boring?

 

Never mind that the world is full of wonder and beauty.  Brightly colored leaves against a bright blue sky.  The delicate intricacy of a spider web covered in dew catching the early morning sunlight.  Watching beavers build dams.  Observing birds building nests.  With all this stuff going on around you all the time, why would you ever feel bored?

 

I find that the older I get, the less patience I have for people who refuse to see past their own drama to recognize how much is going on around them.  It’s very easy to become myopic.  It’s not a challenge to become bitter and jaded.  It’s a cop out.

 

I have enduring respect and admiration for folks who make the effort to see the bright side.  I appreciate people who appreciate people.  I value individuals who remind me of the beauty of this life.

 

Don’t get me wrong, we all have our dark moments.  We all get lost in our own sadness, pain and pessimism.  And that’s ok.  As long as we don’t live there.  Shake it off, rub your eyes and step into a new day. 

 

It’s not hard to find your own fun.  That doesn’t mean it’s always easy.  It’s an acquired ability.  You have to practice.  The more you practice the easier it becomes.  The easier it becomes the more fun you have.  So you see, it’s really awfully worthwhile.  And there’s no good reason not to.