The Games She Loves And Those She Hates

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."   ---Proverbs 17:22

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Sometimes friends tell me they still enjoy board or card games. I gaze at them fondly and wonder, "Are you insane?"

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See, 37 years ago Candy Land, (an eternal game where no one ever wins or loses) ruined all board games for me. Naomi and I played Candy Land until I'd slump over into a comatose heap, my last thought being, "Will you ever remember to hide this torturous game far up in a closet?"

Also around then, Tom and I spent oodles of bleary-eyed nights playing the card game, Spades, with four in-laws. ("Just one more game!" they'd shout.) Later years we played Pit then UNO, two games I'm thinking were designed by proponets of addiction.

And hey, most addictions at first are fun. But as I always quip, too much of a good thing is no longer a good thing.

Well later, (besides playing Chess and Monopoly with a pre-teen Naomi), for the sake of mental stability, I fanagled ways to avoid playing cards or board games with friends. 

Sometimes one must do what she must to survive. heh.

These last decades? I choose to create my own games, ones which consistently add spice, fun and progress to Life. 

And I'll tell you... only occasionally do I tire of these 'games'. For instance, I do housework chores in between chapters of books or during tv commericials or I'll work while listening to a song (or two). It's the meeting (or beating) of time restraints which keep it interesting.

Or my prepping games: my alphabetical food list online, the asterisks beside items of which I need more (for quick reference). The challenge to find (for instance) cat food or ice melt elsewhere when Walmart's website is sold out (and our Country's food supply chain is getting iffy).

The attacking my most physical chores during morning hours while I have strength and so I can relax during afternoons.

The finding ways to arrange things so my house can practically clean itself (talk about another never-ending game. Er hem.). 

The searching for recipes for my own cleaners, room deodorizers and fabric refreshers (etc.) so I can spend more money on actual food.

Discovering ways to improve my memory or lose weight while barely changing my lifestyle (ha!)-- these are two of my most recent games.

The key to a pleasant, everyday life? 

For me, it's about keeping a grateful attitude and knowing Jesus is beside me 24/7. Giving myself rewards, not punishments. It's setting goals, but not kicking myself if I don't meet them perfectly. And it's staying as organized as possible, picking up after myself and learning from mistakes.

Oh, and it's never, ever playing board or card games.  ツ

"Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him..."   --- Eccleasiastes 5:18

After we've taught ourselves to appreciate our challenges for the growth they'll bring, Life becomes far less annoying.

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Speaking of creating a house that cleans itself... 

Tom bought these sink strainers for our kitchen sink and bathtub and wow! They're terrific and totally keep unwanted stuff out of our drains. Whew. Should've bought these eons ago.

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And for those of you who enjoy lots of color in your home, here you go!

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Oh, and I shared this at Facebook:

Some will disagree, but this put into words what had only been floating, unconnected, inside my head. Awesome analogy shared by Dr. Steve Turley.

"There is a time to expose evil and there's a season for everything... a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace." from Ephesians 5:11 and Ecclesiastes 3:8

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Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. 

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 "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15