Despite our upcoming anniversary, and its ensuing vacation from the daily rigors of the working life, we decided to turn our three day weekend into a mini-vacation, and it was well timed and much needed. Back when we lived in the apartment (heretofore known as "The Apartment") we would spend an occasional Saturday doing nothing but play a video game on our PS2. Sure it was "lazy", but it was only occasional and one of the few luxuries we could afford (after all it only cost us time, and we had plenty of that). Since buying and moving into our house (henceforth "The House Mark I") nothing of the sort has happened. In fact our PS2 has been gathering more dust than seeing any use, as has our neglected Xbox. On some level we have not been comfortable spending the luxurious time of only playing a game, and neglecting all else (I surmise this is due to the stress of the past year and the constant list of Things To Be Done To The House(TM) but that's a subject for another day over at my blog). Last weekend we rather unconsciously decided to change this.

We have a collection of games we have not yet finished, and want to finish. We selected one last weekend and continued where we left off. It was fun, and it harkened back to our game-playing beginnings. We proceeded to spend time every evening during the week furthering the story, hoping for a happy conclusion. When the weekend arrived we were ready to spend it in doors.

It turns out it didn't all go according to plan. While we did spent a majority of Saturday playing games, and all of Sunday playing as well, we did have a morning of responsibility on Saturday, and I almost think we wish we didn't have to. My commute to Portland takes its toll on our car, and when we visited the service shop for a regular oil change we discovered that our battery was going dead in a hurry and unless I wanted to find myself stranded we needed to replace it. Ah hour and half later and $100 lighter, we did some grocery shopping then happily tore into our game.

It was wickedly fun to skip church on Sunday, declaring ourselves on vacation. Apart from the dishes, some vacuuming, and the regular lawn maintenance, nothing needed to be done, so we did nothing, not even the stuff that we should have; we didn't even shower or get dressed. I think it was Sunday that I realized we hadn't been comfortable enough with our lives, our home, our budget, or our circumstances to just waste an entire day (or weekend) relaxing with recreational activity. While the game took a frustrating turn for the worse (it's about twice as long to finish it as it needs to be and the story began to drag on for the sake of taking up time) it was good to just play and do nothing else.

All that resting and playing should have revived me, but since I was on "vacation" and I am a night owl by nature, I decided to cease my losing battle and let my body tell me when to go to bed. This would have been perfect except, instead of my body telling me when to get up, it was our youngest cat Phoebe who decided to take on that role. I don't think I got more than 7 hours of sleep all weekend, about what I get during my work-week, so when Monday rolled around I was suffering a tension headache due to lack of sleep. That did not stop me (though Phoebe still has not stopped trying to wake me up if I sleep "too long").

Monday was good. I was honestly surprised at who did not show up. It turned out to be a small crowd of people, almost equal parts neighbors and friends to family. The relatives I had grown accustomed to seeing were not in attendance, and I fear it portended the future of our picnic, as decades from now they will have shed their mortal coil and will not be able to attend. Despite their absences it was a good day, and a long one. I got to chat with neighbors and learn things about them I never knew, spend some time with relatives I don't know all that well, and play more Frisbee than I thought I humanely possible.

Sure I only took second in the Great Croquette Game of 2005 (losing to my father) but Uncle Perry and I took the victory in the Bocce Ball Battle of 2005 (in which my father found himself on the losing team). I was surprised to find that the picnic was still going at 9:30 PM, and it wasn't until 10:30 until the last guest had left and the Barbers had some time to chit-chat.

I have been going to these picnics for over two decades, and I cannot imaging spending the 4th of July without a large gathering of family and friends. It has become a tradition I look forward to and expect, and each year I seem to look back on the day and truly feel thankful for our independence and for my family. Maybe that makes the 4th of July more of a thanksgiving day for me, but somehow I don't find that inappropriate. No sunburns, light allergies, plenty of food, family, and friends, and enough games to make me sore for a week make for a great 4th of July celebration!