Dear Girlfriends,

On the flip side of hectic schedules are routines that can bore the life right of you. I have a love-hate relationship with the daily grind; I am a creature of habit and enjoy my "rituals" but every now and then, I just need a break from the same-ol', same-ol' things!

To interrupt your routine takes some planning and a little creativity but it is a great way to lighten your handbag! Here are a few very easy ideas:

• This weekend, serve dinner on your good china and crystal. Flowers are optional. Dinner might consist of Kentucky Fried Chicken and grape juice - but hey - life is short! Get out the good stuff. Who are you saving it for? I am sure there is no one more important to you than your family. What do you need for today? Something that is special. Every now and then, I serve Steve our Friday night light dinner of smoked salmon, cheese, and crackers on china. He actually gets a big kick out of it. If you have children, they will really enjoy this. Make dinner an occasion to celebrate your family and have them "dress for dinner" the way families did in the old days. You can also gently use this event as a teachable moment to reinforce eating with the correct utensil and proper table manners.

• Make Tuesday movie night! Yes! In the middle of the week! How crazy is that? This only works for the fam during the summer months but it's great fun and the lines are short. Steve and I sometimes leave work a bit early and hit an art movie. We feel so spontaneous . . . even though we planned it five days in advance . . . it's something different! What do you need for today? A treat on day that is not a usual "treat day"!

• Visit with your girlfriend. Women are so busy tending to everyone else, they let their friendships flounder. Pick up the phone. Yes, you have to do the calling. Don't always expect her to be the one to initiate coffee on Saturday morning. Emerson said, "Go oft to the house of thy friend, for weeds choke the unused path." Hhmm. Ralph clearly knew something about friendships. What do you need for today? Giggles with your girlfriend. I promise you that load in your purse will disappear.

• And, my all-time favorite: Pretend Vacation. This is a rediscovery of weekends on steroids. Take a weekend and pretend you're on vacation. Steve and I do this about once every couple of months. We don't go out of town - we just pretend we're on vacation and do the same things we would do if we went away. Steve and I always eat brunch when we're on vacation, so we go out for brunch. We sleep in. We skip church. We go to the museum, then take in a local site we've never visited. We don't watch TV. We don't answer the phone. We don't do laundry. We're on vacation. If you're a stay-at-home mom with small children, you may need an overnight get-away at a hotel in town; just having the opportunity to go the potty alone without two sets of eyes staring up at you can make you feel like a new woman! What do you need for today? Renewal. And a vacation "at home" is perfect for renewal.

Digging out of the rut -
Ellen

Posted by Ellen on January 30, 2007 2:16 PM  |  Category: What's In Your Purse?