I'm hosting a party on Friday for one of the silliest reasons on the planet.
Once upon a time I would buy anything if it was on sale for at least 75% off. With great enthusiasm I would justify rationalize explain to my husband "BUT-HONEY-LOOK-HOW-MUCH-MONEY-I-SAAAAVED!!!" while he would just shake his head and praise God that at least I wasn't a retail price binge shopper.
I swear it was like a druggie getting a fix, the "high" directly proportional to the percentage off. Once at the Hallmark store, I found decorative clay vases and urns for ONE CENT and flipped in-store cartwheels for HITTING THE MOTHER LODE while the employees–thrilled to get the blasted inventory OUT OF THEIR STORE AND INTO MY CAR and unconcerned it was probably some accounting glitch in their system (Why in the world would they sell ANYTHING for a single penny???)–assured me I wasn't doing anything "wrong" or peculiar by buying a dozen clay vessels.
I got them home, put 'em in my "sale closet" smugly satisfied that Christmas shopping was done for a few people; though in mid-July I didn't even know who I'd give them to.
That was inconsequential.
On another visit to the same Hallmark store, I hit the lottery again, this time with a 75% off jackpot.
I found a dozen soup and sandwich trays reminiscent of blue and white , marked down to $2.50! Originally $10, I scooped up every one of them! Imagining my future, I envisioned monthly get-togethers with my girlfriends just for the sake of using the darling plate-trays and soup mugs. And,
s u r e, to enjoy my friends' company, too.
I've used them once in the decade-plus I've had them. I'm sure that's a sin of some sort.
Soooo…when my beloved blog sistah, Amber, began encouraging others to , the wheels started turning in my head. She reminded me that nurturing friendship requires intent; I realized it had been a long, long time since I hosted a gathering in my home for "no reason" other than the sake of investing in others' lives. Sowing friendship; reaping tenfold the same.
While I love The Matrix the blogosphere and my imaginary friends the wonderful writers I've met in person—and the ones I've yet met but whose blogs I adore–I realize it's way too easy to invest in those friendships at the expense of the women who will pick up my kids from school when I'm in a pinch, bring me dinner when I need it, or hug me when I need the touch of kindred soul. And much more important, how will I know when they need a kind word or touch or dinner when they're too sick to get out of bed if I'm not in on-going relationship with them?
So, yes, on one hand I'm hosting a party on Friday for one of the silliest reasons on the planet: to use my soup tray-plates & mugs. But on that other hand? It's to share life with special friends…just because it's passed time. For both :).
YOUR TURN: How are you investing in the lives of your friends? How have your friends surprised or blessed you lately?
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Wanna host your own ? Visit for details.
Well, let me tell you, if you knew about my little problem with bringing home too many dishes, you’d know just how much I love and understand the idea of using glass as an excuse to have a party. I’m a country girl who could eat cereal with a wooden spoon, but I L o v e my fancy dishes. I don’t know how it happened.
I’m so pumped that you’re doing this.
I love you.
Amber
Those are completely adorable! And $2.50 apiece, what a steal! Hope you have an excellent party.
Love investing time in my girlfriends! I have two main groups, my book club (small, just 7 of us meeting monthly http://tilsockbesnug.blogspot.com) and my Junebugs. There are four Junebugs and we’ve been together through thick and thin for close to twenty years. We make it a point to get together on a regular basis and do a weekend home tour every year as well as a week together at the beach. So fun.
Also, I have had friends over just so I can use my plates.
I was just talking to my husband about this very thing. It has been awhile since I have been very hospitable. I’ve allowed myself to get caught up in the busyness of life, and I’ve let my friendships slide because of it. I want it to be different.
Hope you have a super fun party! You’ve inspired me.
The book club does NOT need the closing )
I love that you wrote about this today. In one of my women’s small groups, we discussed how we give to missions at home and abroad; we get involved when our church does local mission projects; and that we should really start ministering to one another in the group. I am hosting a Guatemalan student here for 2 months beginning this coming Sat., and,m having just moved my son out of 1 bedroom into another, wanted to clean it up and out fully, move stuff from one closet to another, etc; So, 5 of my precious sisters in the Lord came Saturday and worked like work horses, helping me out. My husband and I just finished painting it and it is going to be ready for him to come! sisters serving sisters!
Sometimes I think if it weren’t for my husband, I’d have no friends at all. 😉 Seriously, he LOVES having people over, and I’m such a hermit I could go months without socializing much. But my dear husband gently insists that we have big parties on any given holiday or the random Friday, or whenever, really! He makes it easy by helping to clean and always cooking and baking (his desserts are now legendary!). I’m grateful for how he completes me, and I’m grateful for the friends we have in our lives because my husband encourages me to get outside my shell. Now I just need to practice more on doing it on my own!
Robin,hosted a Nashville Moms Who Blog gathering at my home today and your name came up! We are going to begin meeting quarterly. (If you are from Nashville and are reading this, it is not an exclusive group. If you’re a mom and you blog, you’re invited!)
love those dishes! what a steal. If I had room, I would have a dish obsession.
Love the little blue dishes – I would have bought them too.
And what a great idea – a friend party. I love hosting and have my friends over for no particular reason all the time. And I always tell my kids (and my hubs) that you get out of a friendship what you put into it. What a great message you are giving today! Thanks so much for sharing.
Hi Robin – I’ve been away too long here 🙂 So appreciate your writing. I am thankful every day for my running partners, great friends (who have been bringing us baked yummies – no oven!), and my sisters. Love your idea of a friend party. We all need to reach out more and put busyness aside. Hope you’re doing well, friend!