Lowest Common Denominator

 Soon after I moved in with Michael and his two daughters, we implemented monthly "family activities."  The idea being once a month we have some scheduled time together and we rotate who decides what we do.  I find this to be way more enjoyable than coming up with an activity together that we all want to do - a lowest common denominator type thing. It lets each person be more creative.

This month I was getting a little worn down, because I keep track of whose turn it is.  And I sometimes end up doing what feels like nagging. "It's your month...Do you know what you want to do?...When do you want to do it?" And then a couple weeks later, "Have you decided on a family activity?" It was feeling more of a chore than fun. Plus finding a time that works for everyone (which during Co-Vid was super easy).

Anyway, I was feeling a bit drained yesterday after asking those questions multiple times this month, and offering suggestions since Michael's eldest didn't know what she wanted to do.  Then yesterday she asked how much the activity could cost. (We started out with the activities having to be free, but this year said one of their activities could entail a small cost).  She wanted to go to the Walker art museum.  I said I was sure that would qualify, but it just so happens that we are going today which happens to be free Thursday evenings. 

Michael's eldest having her driving license comes in handy as she can pick up her sister from her summer day camp and meet us at the museum.  I'm hoping that Michael can get off work in time that we can take the bus there.  And I'm grateful for my simple/flexible job that allows me time to pack a picnic dinner for ourselves that we can eat in the sculpture garden.  I wasn't sure we had much to pack, but yesterday I started unthawing some rhubarb-strawberry bars we made for Michael's birthday.  We made extra and froze a pan- so having those as a dessert should make the fact that the rest of the meal is unexciting not matter.

Just a Day

 #1 - I've been a bit behind on sleep the last week and a half, but Michael got up with me to take a short jog this AM which helped with motivation.  Supposedly I'm going to start playing soccer again Sunday (they haven't posted the schedule yet), and I know it's not very fun when my cardio is in shock, which it will be, but every little bit helps.

#2 - Tonight I am going to watch my niece play soccer for the second time this year.  Michael asked if I was dressed up for something (because I'm wearing a summer dress), and the answer is to sit in a chair outside while people are around and kids are playing a team sport. I'd say that is an occasion.

#3 - The Co-Vid numbers for MN were under 100 for the second day in a row.

#4 - It also happens to be my nephew's birthday today so I'll get to deliver his Pokemon cards to him on his birthday.

#5 - I've been listening to this "Against the Odds" podcast.  The first series were about the soccer team boys in Thailand that got trapped in a cave when it started raining.  Today's series was about climbing K2.  It holds my attention.

Gates Opening

 #1 - During this ongoing heat wave - that continues into the night - I have a gratitude that we have air conditioning and that it works and that we have the money to pay for it.  I don't think in my ten years of gratitude I've written that (each gratitude strives to be unique) but to ensure this I will add we have water for the few plants I put in the garden and to take cold showers and we have a reliable supply of electricity.

#2 - I planned a meal with a bunch or fresh (or lightly steamed) vegetables for Michael after his camping trip in the Boundary Waters.  And we also have some strawberry/rhubarb (from the garden) bars for his BD dessert that his youngest daughter helped me make.

#3 - During lunch today Michael went upstairs frustrated with me, but then came back down and I was able to listen to and understand his point of view.

#4 - We didn't have time for me to share my perspective and I don't think I could if I tried.  I process internally (versus verbally) and I need some time to write tonight to help me with that, which I should be able to do.  I can just feel the thoughts and the feelings in me like at a dam and when I put the pen to paper I expect it to be as if one of the gates are opened and things start pouring out, some of which I expect and some of which I imagine will be a surprise to me.

#5 - I wrote a while back about wanting to make dinner more often between 4-6 on Tuesdays so I can listen live to Womenfolk Radio on KFAI.  That hasn't worked the past few weeks but I did today, oh and the last member of our household got her 2nd vaccine today while I was cooking.