Re-adjusting a Bit

I am happy to report that while the wasps have not disappeared they have calmed down. I actually think opening the door itself aggravates them the most, because the mail person never has a problem delivering the mail, and I'm sure there are other factors as well. We are getting various estimates with guarantees and so on, and the buggers should be completely gone shortly. 

My first ever attempt at jewelry making, made to go with a dress I bought, because yellow jewelry is impossible to find!

Today as part of my online afternoon, I wandered over to the Olli (senior college) website, to see what the class offerings were. While there were some very interesting classes (most in the morning, when I would not attend), after looking for about five minutes I realized that interesting as these classes are, I don't want any more "places to be" in my life.

While I wouldn't exactly call it summer vacation as such, along with my blogging break I've had a respite from many of my normal groups and volunteering gigs. Even though I have my new Diva gang, I've realize something: While on some level I consider myself a "doer",  I don't like making the regular commitment of being in a certain place at a certain time on a weekly basis. If I am going to commit to being "there" every week, "there" has got to grab me. And senior college classes do not. At least not when I have a full offering of the Great Courses online at home.

Just a few of the courses on my watchlist (as well as a couple TV series since I watch the Great Courses through Amazon Prime!

Sometimes folks comment about how much I "do" on this blog, even though I have stepped back a great deal (and intend to step back some more). I think this is because there is a difference between being busy at home, and leaving home-be it to socialize, volunteer or anything else. At least for me.

Don't get me wrong, part of my summer of resetting (which is not over) has been to be less busy at home, in part. Given a chance, I could have five or six sewing projects, things to cook, an art project going, some home improvement thing in line-you get the idea. I have spent much of my offline time streamlining my studio, throwing things out and promising myself that I will finish one thing before dreaming up the next, at least one thing in each area.  

But for me at least, there is a difference between having to be somewhere for a meeting, social event, movie or anything else, and doing something similar at home. I'm not sure I could spell it out for you. I mean I wear the same clothes as a rule at home or out. Many of the things I do are within a couple miles of my house. I guess it's just that when I do things at home, I do them on my own time (or I don't).  And when I go out of the house, I am generally "making a commitment".

As of this week, I have three out of the house "commitments" weekly. And I plan to keep it that way.  I have a three hour volunteer gig. A three hour (and sometimes more with happy hour) knitting group. And thanks to my Diva group, a once a week lunch or movie or happy hour or.......!  In theory I can miss either the Diva thing or the knitting thing if I just don't feel like it for some reason (I usually do). I plan to add no more. Nothing. Nada. No senior college classes. No watercolor class at the rec center. No second volunteer gig. I can watch courses online at home with a subscription when I like. Utube can keep me busy with paints and crayons and who knows what else. And If I extend my volunteering it will be via occasional one off special events or advocacy done from home. 

The more blocks I add, the brighter it gets!

Obviously, there are other things I do. I exercise at home sometimes and in a class sometimes (depending on my mood of the day). I go to church (I suppose that's a fourth commitment but in my life it's simply habit) I still go to dinner or other social events with friends or family. I sew and bake and learn and draw and read and clean my house and take weekend trips and occasional day trips. But none of those are regular things that need to be scheduled around. They all happen occasionally rather than regularly. And that's the way I like it. And an awfully lot of them happen right here. In my house or garden. 

Other people, especially single people, plan more. Some plan less. But I enjoy being at home in my own little space. Equally important, I enjoy being at home alone in my own little space (the joke around here is that when the other person who lives here, who I see a couple hours a day on weekdays retires, we will have to each move to our own place). If, that is, you can consider living with two fairly large four legged creatures being alone!

Admittedly, my spontaneous activity will pick up beginning in September, as festival and event season begins in full-the local fall theater season (amateur and not), fairs, festivals, food events and who knows what else. But those are all as the mood strikes as well as one-offs, which is a different thing. And I still make sure to limit these, in order not to get over loaded (as well as wanting to spread out the fun). 

Somehow even in summer, soup and salad are my go to for lunch! I this case the soup was not exactly "light"

This week, I had a volunteer gig. On Wednesday my Diva gang went to a local jewelry emporium and made jewelry. And then cancelled happy hour because there was a sever thunderstorm and flood warning and we were all worried about our dogs. The previous week I went to Bonefish grill and had corn and crab chowder and also had a kitting afternoon. This coming week, I have a movie date Tuesday afternoon, Knitting on Wednesday and possibly an art gallery "walk" on Friday evening. The rest of the time I will be home, or doing my daily walk and/or work out. Which is perfect.

For me.