Creative Fun

My rule is that there are no dogs allowed on the furniture.  Period.  But Trigger decided that as long as I was vacuuming downstairs, he could safely take a little nap in the chair next to the bed.  Too bad I left the broom upstairs, and disturbed his little snooze!

When we first moved to Cody (many years ago) we were living on one income while I stayed home to raise my son.  We were broke...well, I take that back.  We had enough money to cover our expenses, but not much else.  Certainly not money for extravagant entertainment.

Living on a limited income makes you creative in your recreation options.  We took a lot of walks on Main Street, looking in windows.  We went to everything free in Cody...Friday evening band concerts in the park, the Museum free days for residents, parades (Cody has a lot of parades), fireworks, and ice cream socials.  We also took advantage of the many rivers and lakes around here to fish in the summer, cross country ski in the winter.  We went on lots of picnics, winter and summer.

When I went back to work, we had a lot more money.  No time, but more money.  If we wanted to do something, the financial aspect did not stand in our way. The good old days!

Not so anymore.  Almost two years ago I quit my full time job in order to have a better quality home life, and we are living on one income again.  And once more we are being more creative in what we do for fun around here.  Again, we are doing everything free (tomorrow is the Silver Tea at an area church for a Christmas musical treat).  Instead of eating out, we walk to the Irma in the evening and have a hot chocolate.  Or pie.  We still get to go out, but the bill is cheaper! 

We spend a lot of time at the library.  Magazines that I used to plunk down $5.00 for I can browse for free.  Saturday is our town Christmas promotion, and there will be carolers, cloggers and a Christmas light parade, all free for the taking.  Instead of having lunch out, I can make a big pot of chili, and we can walk back home when we get hungry. 

Our country is facing really tough economic times...and entertainment money may be struck from the family budget in order to pay for necessities.  Instead of bemoaning what can't be changed, it is kind of fun to be a little more creative in finding ways to cut back here and there...to stretch the family budget. 

Because I have found that the memories are just as sweet holding hands taking a walk in the snow, as they are eating out at the swankiest restaurant.  The key is to get your focus off what you can't do, and onto what you CAN do!  DLB