Tag Archives: friendship

Friendship: How to make time for each other when life gets busy.

img_2092Ask anyone nowadays how they’ve been and it seems the answer is always “busy.”  There are so many events, work, kids, family, the list goes on and on.  Hopefully you are filling your time with things you enjoy doing but it doesn’t make you any less busy!  Chelsea, Lindsay, and I have by no means perfected the art of preserving a staple friend date but we’ve been doing pretty good lately with a few simple hacks so we thought we’d share.  We all live in different parts of the bay area now, separated by trains, buses, and boats.  Literally.  This past week, we had a standing dinner date and were talking about how consistent we’ve been lately and how a few things have helped us preserve our cherished time together.  In case you need some ideas to get your gal gang back together for some face time, here are some things that have helped us.

  • Get it on the calendar.  As soon as everyone can agree on a date, we add it to our calendars so we don’t accidentally double book and have to cancel.  Give it some space, too.  Every week might be too much of a commitment for everyone and being so frequent, might give people a way out since they can just join next week.  Not that we are suggesting tricking friends into hanging out :).
  • Make it convenient.  We’ve been meeting for coffee or dinner at the hub of transportation so before or after our meet ups, each of us can get on or off that train, bus, or boat.  Adjust for the groups needs, for example if someone is trying to stick to a diet, go for a walk.
  • Make it quality time.  If everyone only has an hour to give, make sure everyone has a chance to talk about what’s going on in their lives good or bad.
  • Try new places or specials on the menu!  We’ve been going to the same place for a few meet ups lately and have tried a few different menu items each time which has been really fun.  This brings an added touch of excitement to an already fun meet up.

img_2037Here we are trying the lemon shake and an assortment of fries.  What can I say, they were delicious!

I also have frequent FaceTime/phone dates with one of my gal gang who has moved out of state.  We have a standing calendar save for a phone date but even if we can’t connect that week, we still text and communicate so at least we aren’t letting too much time go by before checking in with each other.

What are some of the ways you’ve been able to make time for friend dates?

Dockin’ It.

Dockin ItI love being outside and enjoying the crisp, fresh air but sometimes the weather can be a little windy and it’s hard to plan a cute yet covered outfit. Every San Franciscan knows the secret to our weather patterns, layering. I picked up this light long sleeved top not too long ago and always throw it over a simple cami. It protects me from the wind but is also light enough to keep me cool.

Dockin It

(Joe’s Jeans jeggings and a metal infused friendship bracelet)

Dockin It(This ended up being a great outfit for when we were dockin’ it)

We’re on a (House)Boat!

IMG_4343For the last weekend of summer, I hit the Lake (Oroville, since we all went to Chico together) with some close friends.  It was the perfect way to spend a few days in the middle of nowhere where we could swim, relax, and enjoy some downtime.  Although it rained one day, we did get pretty lucky with the weather.  We were able to swim daily and make “family” meals each day.

IMG_4130(Some of the girls hanging on the roof as we motored out)

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IMG_4284(Of course, I’m a sucker for sunsets.  Especially ones like this)

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IMG_4439(Rainy Saturday)

IMG_4342(Nighttime adventures)

image(Water slide all day)

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The annual houseboat trip has come and gone but it was fantastic.  Now bring on Fall!

Swing swang, it’s all the same – Bloopers!

IMG_9132Of course while shooting the last two posts, we had many bloopers.  Especially because the photos we wanted to get took some serious sand rolling.  Some shots included laying on our backs in order to produce the pure sky and swing photos.  At the end, we also both hopped on a swing at the same time while I attempted to take photos of us both.  You can only imagine all the dirty looks we were getting from 5 year olds wondering what the hell we were doing moving in on their jam.  Half were impressed, half were amused.

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IMG_9045(I just missed snapping the photo at the right time on this one)

IMG_9106(It took a while for us to figure out when to snap)

IMG_9141(The shadow shots are my favorites)

In some unexplainable way, these photos say a lot about us.  We both always have crazy ideas that the other is always up to try.  I love that Chelsea never thinks I have a bad idea and I always love her ideas.  No matter how impossible they can sound, I know that we both have it in us to let our imaginations come to life.

Turn It Up.

IMG_7657This is Emily.  She is one of the most bad a$# friends that we have.  Her and her husband, Matt, are kind enough to take me out on their snowmobiles whenever I go visit them in Tahoe which is AMAZING.  I can’t explain how much fun I have with them and even shooting photos of them on their machines because they are both incredibly talented.  After the last big snow, we headed out to Jackson Meadows for an all day play date.  I had one of the most fun days I’ve had all winter.  I could barely walk the next day I was so sore but it was all worth it.

IMG_7616(Matt swimming in snow)

IMG_7662(Emily and Tom making turns)

IMG_7648(Matt climbing so high)

IMG_7630(It’s beyond gorgeous out where there are no cars and just pure mountain.  Sometimes there is no other place I’d rather be)

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IMG_7659(I’ll follow Em and Matt anywhere on these toys)

IMG_7634(Matt coming down)

IMG_7651(Could she be any more amazing??  She rips her sled around.)

They were trying to teach me how to make these deep turns all day and I was having so much fun trying.  It’s not as easy as they make it look, it takes a lot of upper body strength.  We kept coming across meadows and meadows of untouched snow for miles.  It was heaven.  It was like running through a forest and finding hidden gems at every turn.  The little kid was brought out in all of us and we soaked it all in.  Days like these are priceless and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.  With Spring upon us, the snow will begin to melt and it will be time for us to shift into summer mode.  The seasons have a way of moving along memories into different forms.  I hold them all close.

We hope you had a great Easter!