In one of my recent posts I talked about living well with less. It still definitely feels that we're doing that and it really didn't take long to adjust. It's amazing how quickly you can get used to something, especially if that something makes your life easier. Downsizing and moving downtown has definitely made our lives easier. Everything from having no yard work, no home maintenance, less time spent cleaning, to shorter commute times to and from work (for hubby at least, mine is the same amount of time, just fewer traffic lights).
I don't think I fully expected to have so much more free time than we used to have. It's been really nice. And when the weather cooperates (which is always iffy in Oklahoma!), we've put that free time to some pretty good use. We've had a lot of FUN since moving... we've done a lot of spontaneous outings with no real goals in mind other than being together and exploring. And we've discovered some great places and made some new friends, too.
Last weekend we went with a group of our Urban Neighbors friends to the OKCMOA to watch the animated short films that have been nominated for Academy Awards. It was the first time we'd been in the theatre there and it's really great. Plus, since we have our membership there now, it's only $5 to see a movie there.
We didn't care for all the shorts... one of them was pretty disturbing and a couple were just weird but there were a couple of really good ones. My favorite was Room on the Broom. It was precious. I'd like to get a copy of that to show to Calin, my sweet grandbaby. I really hope it wins.
After the shorts were over, the group went to Shelley's apartment at Park Harvey, one of the downtown skyscraper apartments. Wow, it was an amazing view from her 16th floor apartment and just a block away from the museum. It would have never been so easy to do something like in any other neighborhood.
On Saturday we got out and strolled over to the Myriad Gardens again. This time we stopped at Park House for lunch and enjoyed the view. It was pretty windy so it was nice to sit inside this time. That place is so cool - circular glass most all the way around. I can't wait to see it at night. The veggie burger was good but the fries were awesome (sometimes you have to splurge, right?)
Just as we were finishing lunch, sweet hubby said he wondered what was playing at Harkins, the downtown movie theatre. I checked on my phone and found that a movie we had been wanting to see had just opened there - A Winter's Tale. But it started in 5 minutes... with the theatre over half a mile away, there's no way we could make it in time. He smiled and said let's see. And we took off.
We didn't run but we definitely walked a very brisk pace to get there. I don't know what was going on at the Chesapeake Arena that afternoon but there were a lot of people heading over there when we walked by. We had to weave in and out through them to not slow down. We got to the theatre, got our tickets and walked into the movie only 5 minutes into the previews. Not too bad. And the movie was worth seeing, too, thankfully. :) It was a good love story... just didn't expect Will Smith as the devil.
We had a house full Sunday afternoon/evening as the kids & grandbaby as well as heathen college son all came over to hang out and have dinner. Even in our smaller space we have plenty of room for that. Now when the twins and their parents come down from Kansas City and add to the mix, it will be interesting for sure but I'm confident we'll manage just fine.
It was such a beautiful day yesterday we got out our bikes and gave that a go. Alas, we discovered downtown OKC's hills are a bit much on single speed bikes (that were always intended for the beach anyway). After working out several times this week at the Y, my legs protested the ride for sure. Perhaps we'll stick to walking instead... we'll see. We do have the cutest cruiser bikes though...
Today we're settled in for just hanging out at home, maybe watching a movie on Apple TV. The kids will come for dinner tonight so there will be some fun in the kitchen seeing what I can come up with for them. It's especially fun with grandbaby now that she's exploring foods.
Yep, just a lazy day at home... no pressures, no stressors. If it feels this good after only two months in, especially during the winter, how good is it going to feel a few months from now when it's warm all the time and everything is green and blooming? I can't wait to find out. :)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
No comments:
Post a Comment