I have those absent-minded moments all the time. I’ve ordered food at a drive-through, pulled up and paid for it, then drove off without my order! I went back for it, of course. I did the same thing at the gas station. That really made me feel stupid!

Your upbringing explains your work ethic. Wow, your mom sure towed the line. I’m sorry your family endured those years of hardship due to those embezzlers. How devastating. My family never had much money and we moved around so much when I was younger. I attended three different third grades, but it’s easy to make new friends at that age. My family was very different than yours. We always played games as a family, especially card games. They started us out with Old Maid, and I remember even my grandparents playing with us. Then we graduated to Hearts and Spades. My dad is super competitive and I’m glad I never took it that seriously. If we played partners, I never wanted to be his partner because I didn’t count the trumph cards.

We also used to go play baseball at the nearest elementary school as a family. There were 7 of us, so not enough for a team, but enough to bat and catch and have a mini game. My dad played two square with us when we were kids, too. I was the best in my class at four-square, thanks to him!

His step father was super duper strict with him. He wasn’t allowed to go out for sports because he’s small in stature. I don’t think he was allowed much play time as a child at all once my grandmother remarried. I have to say that as a kid, my step-grandfather (who is my real grandfather as far as we’re concerned) wasn’t strict with us like he was with Dad. He enjoyed his grandkids immensely.

But it goes to show how our upbringing affects us, doesn’t it?

When I’m overworked or super stressed, my sanity demands a release through something creative or playful. So if I’m too exhausted to play with words and unable to sleep, I play around on iMovie or Photobucket trying their special effects on some of my photos or video clips. I never know what I’ll end up with. It’s a kick.

I love to play Balderdash with my adult kids and their spouses. My folks’ used to play it, too, but now when we visit them, they’d rather play Hot Dice. That’s another fun game. But Balderdash is the best game for writers. I mean, c’mon, making up a definition for a word or a name (they’ve updated the game and offer variations of the original now) to fool the others into picking it as the real definition is a kick. It’s a fun way to exercise our creative side and have tons of laughs with whoever we’re playing with. I took it to my critique group once and we played a couple rounds. What a hoot!

Oh, look what you got me started on, Kristen, playing! I’m going on and on. You’ve triggered so many great memories! The best playful times I have these days is with my grandbaby. He’ll be one next week. I never thought I’d have the stamina to care for him full time, but life has a way of taking turns we don’t expect. Lost our house and moved close to our daughter, hubby and Punkin. I had planned to care for him two days a week and write the other three. Well, now it’s full time and the little guy kicks my butt, but I’ve never enjoyed anything so much. I dance with him, throw the ball to him, make goofy faces and weird sounds to amuse him all day. I can be as weird as my heart desires and it’s the best stress reliever ever. A year ago I never could have pictured myself where I’m at.

My writing suffers, but I’m getting some things done. Self-publishing a chapter book due out in October. I feel bad that I can’t keep up with my blogger friends, and only have a few moments here and there on FB and Twitter. But kids grow up so fast, so I’m enjoying each moment. We have a whole different perspective as grandparents. When my kids were young, I didn’t know how I’d ever manage to get them off to school every morning. I was always a ragged a$$ mother, as my dad would say (still managed to play games with our kids, though), but then one day – what the heck? They were all grown. The years had flashed by. It’s unreal, Kristen. When we’re so darn busy, the years fly by. Spawn will be off on his own in a blink, and you’ll look back and wish you’d done this with him or that.

Well, we can’t do everything we’d like to as parents. It’s impossible, so do what’s most important and enjoy every precious minute. I say bounce-house moments rock! That was so much fun. And even though you can’t buy Slip’N'Slides anymore (unless you find one on eBay!) when Spawn gets older, you’ve got to make your own Slip’N'Slide and take turns with him, your hubby and anyone else who needs some fun. Those are the best of times! Thanks for such a fun post!

And, uh, sorry this comment is so long, but fun s/b my middle name and you got me started!