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Meet the Weirdest Neighbor on the Block, and Other Tales of October
Published about 1 month agoΒ β’Β 4 min read
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Hello, and happy October!
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Autumn has arrived here in Colorado, the leaves are changing, and it's officially Wool Sweater in the Morning, Tank Top at 3 p.m. Season.
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If youβve ever moved to a new home as I recently did, you know exactly how it feels to be the new neighbor on the block.
β Modern homes donβt always encourage connections, do they?
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I thought about that each time I drove into the garage and pushed a button to close the door behind me. How was I ever going to meet anyone?
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The Push-Pull of Being Social
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I longed to get to know my new neighbors, but part of me wanted to just retreat into the safe, comfortable cocoon of our house.
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I'm inspired by my parents, who courageously made a huge transition last year from their home of 40+ years to a retirement community.
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In their dining room, theyβre given a choice at mealtime: "Would you like to have your own table, or sit at a table with two others?"
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Mom and Pop nearly always say yes to meeting new people, and strangers quickly become friends.
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Clearing the Hurdle of My Ego
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I daydreamed about having a little party to meet the neighbors, but I kept procrastinating.
β What held me back? I guess it was fear.
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What if no one comes?
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What if everyone shows up, and I don't have enough food and drinks?
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What if we don't have anything to talk about?
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What if I act awkward?
β Such silly hesitations, really.
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Then I met my neighbor Renata across the street. A few days later, we took a walk together and I shared my idea about having a neighbors' happy hour. "You should do it!" she said, adding, "I'll help you."
β And so it was that I made some simple invitations and invited the neighbors for a casual happy hour on a Wednesday after work.
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I vacuumed up most of the dog hair, and put out drinks. Renata and I made some appetizers.
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A dozen neighbors came over, and soon we were crowded in the kitchen eating, drinking, and telling stories.
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Yes, I was awkward in that way I get when I'm nervous, but no one seemed to mind.
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The hour and a half passed quickly, and we had a great time β
We all agreed weβd like to get together again, and now we're no longer strangers. It makes me so happy!
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Making Real Connections
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We've all learned by now that social media amplifies the most extreme and toxic voices, making us feel divided.
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But real life is different.
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Real life is people gathered in a kitchen, sharing a bite to eat, talking, laughing, and opening up.
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Real life is spending time together and getting to know each other -- our similarities, differences, awkwardness and all.
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How About You?
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If you've found ways to connect with new people in your life, I'd love to hear and share your stories.
π¦ I mourned the passing of Jane Goodall, who I heard speak in Denver and long admired. This NY Times interview is a testament to her perseverance--and a call to keep taking action and hoping for a better world.
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π Sunset Dinner Special: Need a new chicken recipe? Golden Hour Chicken is amazing, and simple to make!
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π¦ I wiped away tears reading about the Hell's Kitchen firefighters who stood in for a bride's father, a fellow firefighter who died on 9/11.
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πΏ Movie I Loved:About Time is a wonderful British film starring Rachel McAdams. A friend recommended it on a bad news day, when I felt like my soul needed a kind story.
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𧑠Pumpkin Pecan Dump Cake from my friend Sandra at She's Not Cookin' is SO good, and takes less than 10 minutes to prepare.
You know how the buzz of technology, the glow of our phones, and the never-ending To Do list can make it almost impossible to get a good nightβs sleep? I used to feel that way all the time!
β Lately Iβve been trying out some natural tricks to quiet my mind and actually rest, and Iβve found 7 simple things that make it easier to enjoy better sleep.
40 Creative and Frugal Holiday Gifts (that don't suck!)
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Forget homemade coupon books for "free hugs" and re-gifted fruitcakes! β Get a jump on the holidays without breaking the bank with these 40 frugal Christmas gifts that are not only thoughtful, but also practical and personal.
Welcome! Happy Simple Living's Easy Times newsletter helps busy people simplify with easy recipes and tips for creating a comfy home, organic gardening, saving money, living a simpler life, enjoying holidays, and having more fun!
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