Letter J is for JOINING IN THE FUN

 Do you dislike most parties? or are you excited about the prospect of a party? Do you see yourself as the life of the party or as a wallflower? Regardless of which one best describes you- you should try something new this year- and join in the fun- if you are not a party type person have one or go to one, if you are a party person do something like join a group at your local Barnes and Noble or library or church.

   When I moved into a new neighborhood 5 years ago, I didn't know anyone- I had a BBQ and invited the entire block. Everyone came. I was so busy playing "hostess" that I never got to talk to many of the women in the neighborhood. I realized I had not "joined in the fun" I was "providing the fun". So I tried a different approach, I started a book club. ( now, your rolling your eyes and saying I dont' read) well if you do read - read on and if you don't read.... then what about a Survivor party or a American Idol party and you all get together and watch the finale of your favorite show with games and food- that are geared towards the shows you love.
It takes a bit of planning to arrange a complete Survivor event, but there are so many levels of Survivor theme party ideas that you can bet at least one of them will be within your power to complete:
Start out with a fun homemade invitation, using tropical island clipart plus a time & date for your fellow Survivors to come visit you on your own Mystery Island for fun, games & lots of laughs.
Divide guests into Tribes the day before the party. Designate each Tribe with different colored bandanas, leis or armbands - and let the games begin!
Easy party games ideas might include a scavenger hunt, relay race, or a Dirt 'N Worms eating contest. And for a giggle-inducing immunity challenge, present your guests with the ultiimate Survivor trivia contest.
Decorations, of course, can stick closely to any of the island themes used in the reality TV show. These might also include outdoor backyard candles or torches used to set the mood. Tropical foods like gourmet rice and seafood dishes, and plenty of coconut desserts, are sure-fire hits - and don't forget generous helpings of Frozen Daquiris for the adults or Virgin Pina Coladas for the kids.
Send your Survivors home happy with a goodie bag of gummy worms, seashells or individual pots of lucky bamboo to complete the theme.
On the Web, help yourself to other fun ideas including tips on DIY decorations, Survivor party food & drink recipes and more ideas for games & activities. Have fun!
  If you do read- put flyers up to your neighbors or invite your co-workers. I picked the first title when I started the club but now we all bring a title we want to read and put it in a hat. We choose a new book and a hostess and date at the close of every party. We also bring a knosh and when I host I always have a quiz,crossword or game related to the book.
  A fellow blogger that I follow read the book Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah and she had a book club themed party- Here are some of her great ideas, I am adapting for my book club night in May
from: teachingheartmom.blogspot.com (search firefly lane book club).

The book was such a perfect read for book club. I decided to go with and 80's theme since so much of the book took place in the 80's. I encouraged people to dress 80's or bring pictures of themselves in the 80's. All participants were put in a drawing for a Rubik cube.

For food, I asked the girls to bring a appetizer if they would have rather been friends with Kate and a dessert if they would have preferred Tully as a friend... If they did not read the book, I asked them to bring a bottle of wine.

The object of the game was to collect fireflies by completing given tasks on the card. The people with the most fireflies after all the cards had been read were the winners. The winners got a prize. I used Seattle type prizes, such as: Starbucks Mugs, the book Larry Gets Lost in Seattle, and the DVD Sleepless in Seattlemade up a game that contained 80's activities, book discussion questions, and thoughtful questions about friendship.. All the questions were placed in a baggie. All players sit in a cicle and pass the bag aound. Each person takes their turn pulling a slip of paper from the bag. The slip of paper could have various 80's task on it or a book discussion questions.

- name the 80's movie this quote was in

-name these 80's toys
-play 80's charades
-name that 80's tune
-hum an 80's song...

.
I think these are great ideas. Don't think that sounds fun for a girls night out - you could even at wine LOL

Did you know that  some librarys have book club kits available for check out? Each kit has multiple paperback copies of the chosen title, a discussion guide, suggestions for starting a book club and information about the author. All in one convenient kit!  (they don't come with ideas like the ones above but you could find some on line or you could make up your own)
So I hope I helped you think of things you enjoy to join in the fun, pampered chef parties, Stampin parties where you scrapbook or work on cards? So this time when you hear someone talking about a party? or get together either plan one yourself to be more on the comfort level, or jump out of your comfort level and go.
  SO don't let months go by think of something today- not JUNE now. I bet you will be JUMPING for JOY that you did- JOIN in the fun- doing something different that you enjoyed. Drop me a comment and pictures if
you have had a themed book club night I love sharing ideas.
Tomorrow's letter is K and I will be writing about Kindergarten and my Kindergarten memories.