Is it just my imagination or did this year move faster than usual?

The Fourth of July just happened and we had a wonderful time with the family at a picnic and swimming and things, then it was time for the Hansville Rummage Sale, and then it was time for school to start, then Labor Day, and in a few weeks Thanksgiving, and then Christmas, and then New Year’s Eve.

In days gone by (pre-kids), I attended big fancy dress-up parties to welcome in the New Year. This meant a new dress, shoes and proper jewelry to set it all off. Then came the time for family parties to celebrate. Lots of food and kid games and trying to stay awake until all the hoopla started. Now it means maybe going out to dinner early and then setting the TV to record the hubbub from New York.

I’m not unhappy with my new, relaxed here-comes-the-New Year attitude and life, but I find I need to start early in January having some zzzz’s and storing up energy so I can attend all the activities at our Community Center and at the adjoining neighborhood centers.

During the week, I can go line dancing or do Zumba, or do strength weight lifting, or join the Knitting Club or Garden Club, or check out the investment club meetings and, for sure, attend the monthly potlucks at Driftwood Key Club House (see www.driftwoodkey.org for details).

At Shorewood, I might get interested in the geoducks, or just go bird watching (see www.shorewoods.net).

I regularly play bridge at homes on Cliffside (and I think I’ll keep doing that as long as I get invited), and I’ll probably continue to walk the shoreline at Eglon and Point No Point.

Not to forget all the stuff I could do at the Hansville Community Center: I could get interested in the Hansville Historical Society and attend the meetings (they are so interesting), or I could volunteer to help with the Pinewood Derby (also lots of fun). I do plan to attend the GHCC board meeting, and the social time to play some board games and maybe meet new people (visit www.hansville.org if you’d like to join me).

Every year, I make good plans and only seem to find time to do half of what I want to do. Do you do this too? If you do, you seem to be in good company.

A doctor told me one time that staying active was the way to live a long life. If that is true, hello 100 years old — here I come.

— Donna Lee Anderson  writes Hansville Happenings for the Kingston Community News. Contact her at WellToldTales@aol.com