Winnings and Gifts and Prizes, oh my!

Will they invite me back next month? I played Bunko (Bunco?) again this past week, stepping in for our just recently moved next door neighbor who has moved to an assisted living facility. Which is sad for the Guy and me. We love our neighborhood, and mostly because of our neighbors. A rare thing in today’s world, I think, to actually know one’s neighbors.

But I digress. Not only did I play, but I won the really big money this time! Most buncos (bunkos?) (with a roll off even!) and the ‘Traveler’ (don’t ask, I can’t explain, except to say...extra dollars!) So I have won the Pretty Big, the Big, and the Really Big money now four months in a row (I think). Will they invite me back? More importantly, if they do, can I continue this streak?

Perhaps some perspective is in order. There is a $4 buy-in, and the ‘really big’ money that I won last night? $19. Plus the fun. And the laughs. And the food.

Some time back, I won a contest over at Noodleroux. Recently I received my booty from ChaCha, in the form of a gift certificate from Tumblefish Studio on Etsy. She thought something to hang on my freshly painted walls and in my newly redone rooms might be a nice thing. Well, haven’t I been having a ball shopping over there? Why, yes, I have! And I think I might just have narrowed it done to my choice. I will show it off once I have it all squared away.

Then, more recently, I had the chance to meet with some friends from my college days. Since our meeting, one has been kind enough to send me some of her artwork. This sort of gift is so meaningful to me on many levels. I think it is very generous, first, and second, having no talent in this regard, I am awestruck by those that can put what they see into this sort of medium. I am working to get these two pieces framed and find a special place to put them in my home.

So as I write this, what is it I see? Some very special and fun things, certainly. But what stands out vividly and starkly are the relationships.

Between good neighbors.

Between new friends found through blogging and communicating through the internet.

Between old friends renewed.

Now that blows me away.

My BFF evah! (Dearest Sister) and I are still tag blogging, and selling our goodes at our Etsy shoppe, Atomic Sisters (powerful, explosive, also mid-century!).  Check out both!  They're swell!