My February Blog Project ~ February 4th ~ My Hacienda

Several years ago, I was a 2nd grade teacher.  During this time in my life, my friend Sara and I worked part-time for Rockford Public Library.  It was during this part-time gig that we became friends with Nancy.  Nancy was friends with Joyce.  {Even now, Sara, when I say Joyce's name, I say it quite bass-like.  Joyce.}

Joyce had a special vocabulary...all her own.  Joyce like mauve-red roses.  Never seen any...but the color combo sounds trendy.  She also loved the actress Katharine Headburn.  Interesting.  I like Kathrine Hepburn.   Joyce believed if bald eagles landed, they would die.  She seriously believed this!  She also had some other notion about hummingbirds but I cannot recall precisely what it is and if I call Nancy right now, we will gab for an hour and I just can't do that at this moment. 

My favorite all-time Joyce-ism is hacienda.  Hacienda is house (much like an estate).  For Joyce, hacienda is calendar and/or schedule.  

When making plans, she would always check her hacienda.

Sara and I always check our haciendas before making plans.

Infact, during the time when I was teaching and subbing at the library, I bought a really nice red hacienda.  It's refillable and I still have it...these 12 years later.

It's strange that hacienda has been calendar for the past 12 years.  

Today I've been thinking about my hacienda and how being single gives me the freedom to only have 1 hacienda to coordinate.  

If I want to go see Bryan over any given weekend, I just have to check my hacienda to ensure no other plans are set...such as a crafting roadtrip with Lori or haircut and/or thrift outing.

If I get invited to Montana to visit my friends, I don't have to check in with another hacienda.  I just have to open up my red planner and make sure my hacienda is clear!  {Celia appreciated that Lori checked her hacienda and then graciously volunteered to feed her while her human was out of the state!}

One hacienda to check if I want to go to my friend's house and watch Hallmark Christmas movies...pretty much all December-long. 

If a friend needs me to babysit and my hacienda is clear, I can say, "YES!" and not have to worry one bit.

If a friend needs "emergency" coffee and thrift outing for a big date, I can go just as long as my hacienda is not filled in.

Being single gives me great freedom with my schedule.  It's one of my favorite things and the thing I'm most thankful for today.