Weeks End

Friday Five with 5 quick hit questions... and a bonus posted by Will Smama this week:

1) Your work day is done and the brain is fried, what do you do?
Grab a Red Earth beer from the fridge and sit outside under the Camphor Laurel enjoying it. Then off to the gym for a bit of cycling and weights. Home/shower/into Peter Alexander jamies and read til bedtime.

2) Your work week is done and the brain is fried (for some Friday, others Sunday afternoon), what do you do?
Well tonight I attended the first Open Space at our church. Couple of pews turned around to face each other over a coffee table covered with contemplative writing. Table and seat in the foyer with opportunity to journal or to write a greeting card to someone. Lesson from the techy guys on how to dim the lights. Plenty of candles. Quiet (recorded) music and DVD of nature scenes playing on loop. Tea light candles to light and watch. A blessed hour with no words, women and men together yet each in silence. Minimal set up and pack down. Welcome space.

3) Like most of us, I often keep myself busy even while programs are on the tv. I stop to watch The Office and 30 Rock on Thursday nights. Do you have 'stop everything' tv programming or books or events or projects that are totally 'for you' moments?
TV is one of our shared family times. When I got home tonight, for example, watched end of 'Sweet Home Alabama' with daughter. 'Me' time is when I am driving alone. Can listen to ABC National radio or CD of my choice. IPod while walking is another way to stop and detach from 'troubles and needless anxieties'

4) When was the last time you laughed, really laughed? What was so funny?
I fell about laughing when I realised just what I had said one recent Saturday afternoon. "I'd rather spend time with you than do the vacuuming" So does that mean that I love his company just a little more than one of my most disliked chores? It wasn't meant to come out like that. I won't be allowed to forget it.

5) What is a fairly common item that some people are willing to go cheap on, but you are not.
Soap. I love handcrafted oil based soaps. Buy one or two every time I go to a market. (Modified overnight to add pyjamas and wine)

Bonus: It's become trite but is also true that we often benefit the most when we give. Go ahead, toot your own horn. When was the last time you gave until it felt good?
It felt like a lot of giving last Sunday leading all three worship services - I was exhausted at the end of the day but it felt good. The good feeling continues! Tonight one of the youth group said she had got the DVD of the sermon and was going to watch it with her boyfriend over the weekend (just in case you wondered what young people do with their time these days). And the 8 am people were just so thrilled that I chose four hymns (the Minister usually has only 3). It seemed like all the preparation was worthwhile.