Life is busy these days.  Has there ever been a generation who didn’t say that?  I know I say it all the time.  And it is true.  I don’t just say “refuse to choose,” I walk the talk.  I manage a law firm part time while also owning a renovation business with my husband, while also running a Wildtree business, and working on my writing, music and creations.  And let’s not forget our families, who we want to spend as much time with as we can, especially our three beautiful grandsons and two beautiful nieces who live nearby.

And then there’s “girl time.”  With so much else happening in life, I tend to let that one slip by.  When I finally force myself to take the time though, I realize how much I need it and that I need to do it more.  If you put your mind to it, you can come up with ways to make it all happen.  Really, you can.

This Thursday is Bunco night.  A “girl time” fest.  Something that I normally miss because I am “too busy.”  I refuse to miss out again this month though.  I am trying to do better at planning.

Our Bunco group shares the responsibility of bringing a dish to pass so that the hostess isn’t left with having to do it all.  That’s a wonderful opportunity for me, because I love to cook for and serve others.  I can tend to let that clog up my brain though, with everything else on my plate.  Especially right now, with a major hotel renovation in its final stages.  In the past I would have taken a pass in light of my busy calendar.  This month I am following my own advice instead.  I am using a make ahead meal to make life easier and make sure that I don’t miss out on this fun – and much needed – event.

Last night I enjoyed another much needed event – a sleepover with my two beautiful nieces.  I enjoyed the opportunity to put all of my responsibilities aside for a day and live in the moment, creating with them in the studio, taking in a movie and dinner, feeding the chickens at our recording studio, and doing needlework in the marshmallow – our nickname for our big comfy king-size bed – without giving a second thought to work and the responsibilities that have been swimming through my brain all week.

It is amazing what that time off will do for you.  Although we were up until 11:00 (don’t tell their mom and dad!), I was awake at 4:30 this morning, rested and ready to go.  After some time spent in my office, I headed to the kitchen at 7:00 to prepare the meatballs for this week’s Bunco.  You can find my make ahead meatball recipe here.  By 8:00, I had six dozen meatballs in my freezer, a meatloaf in the fridge for tonight’s dinner, and all before the girls were awake.    It’s going to be another great day.