Let's Just Have Fun...The Answers and Proof that I am Fun

You've been heard, my friends.  You love to have fun and many of you make craft beer your "go-to good time".  Cheers! Skoal! Salute! You might be drunks and I love you.  The result are in with a surprisingly fast response from you all.  Few individuals were stumped by our question of the week: 

"How Do You Have Fun?"

• Hang out and be awesome
• I give out high-fives, go to movies, drink craft beer, and partake in taco-y parties with friends.
• Run-drink beers, work out-drink beers, bike-drink beers
• Samba with my dogs
• Experience anything new! Travel to new places, see new things, meet new people! I have an adventurous spirit and love novelty and variety! Learning something new just feeds my soul...
• Paint, create, and try delicious food.
• Surprising people with seriously fun and unexpected things.
•  I love to run and I think it is fun. I actually think it is so fun that sometimes when I'm done running I think I wish I hadn't just ran so I could run right now! (Clearly this was not me)
• Knit things for people I love.
• Garden, grow things, and eat fresh food.

And now, for some proof that I like to do things other than drink beer....
 

 A FUN excursion for a couple of nerds.....

This weekend I spent 24 glorious hours 30 miles away from my home.  Ryan and I drove to his Alma Mater,  Iowa State and stayed right on campus at the memorial Union. In my previous post, I mentioned my love of food. This particular get-away proves my/our obsession with delicious morsels our lovely state has to offer.

We may have only made it to Ames, but we took a culinary trip much further than that. Our first stop was one of Ryan's old hang outs, Cafe Beaudlaire, a little Latin American venue with lovely selection of beer and fantastic food.  We began our evening feast with Cheese Empanadas & fresh salsa, and Yucca Fries with garlic mayonnaise.  YUM!!

Stop number 2 took us literally around the corner to India Palace (Formerly a California Pizza Kitchen, of course.).   We continued to share our food (more for everyone) and magnificently ordered 2 very different, but ridiculously complementary dishes.  Matar Paneer (cheese curds, peas, and onions in a creamy tomato sauce) and Shrimp Tandoori (sizzling hot shrimp with onions and pepper).  Even the Garlic Naan and Rice were perfect done.  Seriously, the rice was so shiny and fresh....how did that happen??  As I write this, I realize I don't have a picture of these masterpieces! The fury!!

To end the night, we shared a bottle of Old Vine Zinfindel and some Sea Salt and Almond Dark Chocolate that I snuck in my suitcase.  I like to pack some "heat" when I travel.  Well done, me!!

We woke as we commonly do on Sunday mornings to the loving sound of Charles Osgood hosting yet another edition of CBS Sunday morning.  I Always get a little sad at 9am, thinking the show is over, then quietly cheering inside as I remember that CBS ever-so-intelligently made the show 1 &1/2 hours long! The extra half hour, people!! Extra!

After a quick refueling at the breakfast bar with several cups of coffee and a bagel, we headed to the only non-food destination on our itinerary,  Rieman Gardens.  This is definitely the time of year to take advantage of indoor activities in your neck of the woods.  At a whopping 5 degrees, we ran painfully from the toasty car into face-cracking air and into tropical paradise.

In less time than we spend in any of the restaurants, we visited the Butterfly Garden, Orchid Show, and some cactus room (By this time I was hungry again so I'm not sure where we were.) I can't wait to pack a lunch and visit the outdoor gardens this summer.

 

Our final stop was The Cafe on the North side of Ames.  You must, I plead with you, take a trip to this place. Because we are so adventurous, we decided to try 3 entrees; The Salmon Sandwich with capers and other deliciousness,  Chorizo Biscuits and Gravy, and The Breakfast Slate (kind of a breakfast Charcuterie.  Of course, topped off with a Mimosa for Ryan and a glass of Aria Cava for me.

There are no words to describe my satisfaction. We literally sat in silence as we scraped gravy from our bowls to get the last lick. Once we were stuffed, we rested then ate a little more. Finally, we decided to stop, waddle out, and take the scenic route home for added "exercise".

I wish I loved exercise this much. All of this was in our stomachs. Unbelievable!



So there you have it.  How we have fun...me, you, and random people. Get out there and enjoy yourself....and wear big pants if you plan to eat like this.  ;)

Let's Just Have Fun

I've toiled over the "Question of the Week"; desperately seeking something inspirational and earth-shattering.  My top 2 choices would have uncovered the depth of change you've experienced and possible books you could write about your life.

BOOOOORINNGGGG!  (Ok, I'm totally asking these later on....)

Not this week, folks! I feel fantastic!! Everything seems exciting, new, and hopeful. The sun is staying out a little longer and I have the world on a string. (Tune in next week for what could be a completely different sentiment..;))

Why am I so happy? I have things to look forward to.  Things that I think are fun. Things that I forgot I loved and things that are new and exciting. I love having fun. LOVE IT!

I've always loved to have fun, but it wasn't until the last few years that I stopped feeling guilty for having fun.  I know, I know....This is hard to believe, but I have a habit of over-analyzing.  Does having fun mean that I'm irresponsible, unfocused, a bad parent, a poor money manager? (I can think of one person who would say yes to this....) HELL NO!

  

Having fun means that you have figured out how to be happy; 

to deliberately do something that brings you joy. 

....And I said there wouldn't be any revelations here.  BOOM!!!  So, here's the question you've been waiting for....

What do you do to have fun?

My list.....This may surprise a few of you.  My nerdiness briskly unveiled today.  You're Welcome.

• Cook/Bake  Especially with my guy.  Love, love love it! We made gravy 3 times in January. 
• Walk/Hike   I seriously can't wait to get outside and explore nature again. I can walk for hours.
• Curb/Thrift Shop Spring Clean-Up Days? I'm there.  Goodwill's Sunday $1.29 Tag Sale.  Yes, because full price would be crazy!!
• Biking This one is obvious.  You should try it.  The wind whips through your hair even with a helmet! 
• Watch my kids be winners  They're pretty fun in general and always winners. I like how they think and love to question them and promote coolness in their lives. Rock on, little brothers!
• Read, Re-read, and listen to audiobooks I always have a pile of books on my bed and a CD playing in the car.
• Making stuff out of other stuff  What can I say, I love transformations.
• Traveling to places other people think are boring. I don't need flashy signs and coupons to lure me in.  I'm smarter than that, dammit!
• Bite off more than I can chew  Yes, I like to take on big challenges to feel victorious. It's hard work but fun in the end.
• Paint Anything that paint can attach to....
• Dress in Costume Try it.  Seriously.....Find a reason to dress like a Meerkat or the Pope.  This needs to be added to your "Fun List"
• Try New Beer No, I am not a drunk. Beer is good. Monks make beer.  Therefore, God approves. Again....You're welcome.

Yes, I could say more, but will give you a chance.   The key to feeling great is to have fun.  Do something that makes you smile and laugh. You'll be a better person and you'll thank me for it.

Please comment, send me a message, text, or post on my FB page.   

What Are You Waiting For?.....The Answers and An Interview

Answers!  So exciting!  Perhaps the most wonderful thing in the world; knowing.

Some people were in a very contemplative time in their life and their responses show deep consideration for  the question. Some people were just waiting for the bus. A few were waiting for the stranger asking questions to quickly remove herself from their space.

Several people were asked the question "What are you waiting for?" quite bluntly and without any explanation.  Those answers were simple, clear, and focused on the near future.  Take a look...

• To go to work.
• My coffee to get here.
• To win the lottery.
• For the weekend.
• Money for a new laptop so that I can play mine craft. -10 year old boy (obviously)
• For my back to stop hurting. - Other 10 year old boy (not so obvious)

Others were asked the questions after a discussion about what they most deeply desire....

• "I'm waiting until I know for sure what I want to do.  I mean, why would someone like me get to do something that cool." -Young woman talking about taking a risk on starting a new career.
• I don't know what I'm waiting for. Money, time, love, maybe. Maybe I don't know how to start. -40 something woman.
• I'm not waiting any more.  I'm too old.  -Middle aged guy.
• I don't know. I really don't. -30 something woman.
• The right people to show up and make things happen. - Middle aged man.
• I have absolutely no idea. -Everyone else.

I expected more, but as it turns out, I asked one of the most difficult questions in the universe. I can't even answer it well.  There are plenty of things I'm waiting for.... No, I have plenty of excuses as to why I should wait to have what I want. 

Even more stunning....children had less difficulty answering this.  If you had asked me at 10, I would have answered "To become a singer, a teacher, a TV person, a writer, and artist."  Now at 40 I'm still waiting.  I'm guessing a few of you out there understand this.  So what happened to us?  Did we give up really early?  (Always more questions.)

With this in mind, I decided to make my first "in-depth" interview for "The Year In Question" my 11 year old son. It amazed me how quickly he had an answer for the very same questions that adults hesitated on. Don't let anyone break your spirit, boy!

Interview with Jack 11

 

Q: How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?

A: 12. Because I am 11 but really close to 12 and as tall as a 12 year old.

Q: What is one thing you have not done but would really like to do?

A: Travel outside the U.S.  Somewhere warm.  Australia.

Q: What's holding you back from this?

A: Money.  I don't have that much.  I will when I'm an adult.  Did you know they have ants that can kill you?

Q: What are you most grateful for?

A: Having a nice family and a big-sized house. I'm smart and that's a pretty good thing.

Q: Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?

A: No.  Well, maybe the famous part because you get a lot of money. But I don't really need that stuff.  Plus, I'm already attractive.

Q: What would you do differently if you knew no one would judge you?

A:  I'd do nothing.  Seriously.  I'd just do nothing.

Q: Like lounge around?

A: Yes. Everyone would just act like it's totally normal for me to doing nothing.

Q: What is the one thing you'd most like to change in the world?

A: Less war because war means death and I can't appreciate that. The world would be happier.

Q: What's a good way to relax?

A: Sleep. Nap. Read a book.

Q: Favorite book?

A: Anything from the Percy Jackson series.

Q: Best food?

A: Donuts of course. Plus that Bacon Cheeseburger I had when we were with Shanan and Phil.

Q: Favorite star?

A: Wil  Farrell

Q: Favorite historical person?

A: Nikola Tesla. He was basically Thomas Edison's enemy.  He made a more efficient source of electricity. He actually turned down the Noble Peace Prize because he had to share it with Edison. He is an unappreciated Scientist.  

Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

A: At college studying science and math.

Q: What college?

A: I don't know.  I've only been to 1.

Q: In what kind of job do you see yourself?

A: (Without hesitation) A person that manages a company like Apple. OR an entertainer of some sort. OR an architect.

Q: How do you feel when you see adults not following their dreams?

A: Well, that's just disappointing. 

Q: Where will you be at 40?

A: I will own Apple.

AND the grand finale of questions.....

Q: What are you waiting for?

A: To go home. To get a computer.  I feel like that will change a lot. Things will be easier because I won't have to use yours. Plus I can actually download games.  

See you next week with a new (and easier to answer) question!

What Are You Waiting For?

Let's get this out of the way....I love the book Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.  No surprise, maybe.... I'm divorced, over 30 (ok.. 40), love to read and write, and never seem satisfied with where I am. The books is literally highlighted and tagged with my favorite life-changing quotes which I read over and over.

At one point in the book, Liz is a mess, depressed, and dissatisfied with her life and her significant other says, "Stop constantly waiting for something!" It was at the very moment my eyes scanned those words that I stopped, blushed, and looked around to see if I had been caught. I had been called out by someone I never met.  ....And still I wait.

So, this week's question, the very first question ever to grace the pages of this brand-new, shiny blog:

 

ME?  

• Happiness
• Money
• Love
• For my hair to grow out
• To lose my 2012 & 2013 Holiday weight gain....Yes both years....sigh
• For my kids to get older
• For approval
• For someone to notice me
• To be "good enough"
• For everything to be perfect....
• Publisher's Clearing House (assholes)
• The next Elizabeth Gilbert book.
• A purpose
• To write
• To be successfull
• To me proud of myself
• To run fast.....

Yes, I have answers, but as you can see none are very good. I want to be happy, have freedom, travel, and be loved....and yet, I wait until everything falls into place. 

What are you waiting for?  What excuses are you giving yourself? Let me know!  Comment, send me a message, be prepared to answer if I run into you....

What are we waiting for and why the hell are we?

See you this week!!

Suzet