Are you one of those women who seem to always keep friends and always have them around to call on? I'm not.

I can make friends easily, easier than I think it should be. But, I never seem to keep friends. I don't chase them away. I just lose track of them or they kind of drift away until one day I realize I haven't heard from them in awhile.

I don't know what it is about me that causes this. When I am out with a friend we have a lot of laughs or we can talk about anything. I've always been a great listener and I'm not very judgmental. It must be a lack of energy on my part. I'm quite happy being alone and living with my own silence for days at a time.

Some of us, just aren't the friendship types.

But having a friend is nice. I can think of so many I have had over my life. Some were truly great friends who are still missed. Some were friends of the moment, co-workers mainly. I still have two friends I can track down these days, Deanna and Terry-Lynn.

Friendship Quotes

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things. - Unknown

Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light. - Helen Keller

Like a Real Friend.... Lurking

I think it's nice to have lots of friends. But it must be time and energy consuming to keep up with everyone. The glossy magazines present us a lifestyle where women always have friends (and time to shop). Somehow those women are always slim and trim too and they seem to have lots of great clothes to wear on their slim and trim bodies. I'm not one of the glossy magazine women.

A very long time ago I tried to start socializing with other women online. It never went far. I'm just not the type to put the energy into something that would need a lot of social energy to get off the ground. Luckily, others have taken up the project on their own. You can find social networks online for women.

I'm sure there must even be social misfit/ hermit type women who get together for an online social tea or something. I'd like to find them. But, we are probably hard to track down and far too quiet to keep in touch.

But, if you want them, they are out there. Like a real friend... lurking.

It's getting harder to find time and energy to connect with other women these days. We have our own lives, our own projects and still have to get laundry done, pay the bills and find ourselves taking the odd nap. But, there is a real need for women to connect. I think, it's part of who we are and what makes us great.

Online Places to Find Women Friends

• Girlfriendology

• Girlfriend Social

• Girlfriend Celebrations

• Girlfriend Social Blog

• Girlfriend Circles

• Women's Friendship Group Meetup Groups

• The Friendship Blog

A friend drops her plans when you're in trouble, shares joy in your accomplishments, feels sad when you're in pain.

A friend encourages your dreams and offers advice - but when you don't follow it, she still respects and loves you.

Doris Wild Helmering

I explore abandoned houses and such places. The rule is not to take anything (or leave anything, like garbage). I photograph the outside of old farm houses mainly, seldom entering them at all. In more than five years exploring the only thing I have ever taken was a green Pyrex bowl which I found out in the deep grass, full of rotting weeds. It took several bleach washings to get the smell out of the bowl. I kept the bowl and I have no desire to sell it. I kept it for the house, the history of the place.

My Mom and I go to auctions, flea markets and thrift stores. We also pick up stuff from the side of the road if it looks good. But, we don't sell it. Most of it gets refurbished and then we give it to family members and friends who need it. We repurpose. The odd time something ends up being left at the bottom of our own driveway for another picker to pick it up and see what they do with it.

A few times I tried selling old things we don't still use or have space to keep around. But, it was annoying to deal with people who wanted to shop, rather than buy.

When does collecting become hoarding? I think a lot of people forget the actual pleasure of having something you enjoy. Instead they just want the hunt, the finding of  so-called collectibles and then they just want to own it. Not to enjoy it, but just to own it, like having the right number in their collection. They forget to actually enjoy having it. Someone could move all the items and they could never see them for years and it would make no real difference. They might even prefer to just collect it again rather an feel the loss of it.

I like to watch the shows about antiques, collecting, the storage locker buyers and even (less often) the hoarders. But, I don't think I will take it on as a business. That would take the fun out of the picking up of junk and turning it into something of value. Plus, I don't want to take on more stuff. There is only so much space available and only so much time I want to spend on dusting and maintaining stuff.

• HubPages: American Pickers: Who Has the Money to Buy This Junk?
• HubPages: How to be a Picker of Antiques and Collectibles
• Daily Motion: Pickers Inc.
• Yard Sale Shark
• Snip.it: Antiques, Vintage Collectibles and Collecting
• Entrepreneur: Four Tips for Getting Started in a Collectibles Business
• Mother Earth News: How to be an Antique Picker
• HubPages: Would you Be a Great Picker?

The above photo is upcycled jewellery from The Key of A.

Your birthday comes around once a year—every year—whether you like it or not. Don't be in denial; be proud! Celebrate yourself. Age really is just a number; it's all about how you feel! Choose to feel good, and if you're celebrating alone, make it special. It's your day, so do what you want!

Celebrating Your Birthday Alone? Make It Special

Spending your birthday alone is not a bad thing at all. I have family and a few friends, and that's more than enough for me. I don't mind going for a b-day lunch with loved ones, but I also enjoy spending my birthday alone. After all, it is my day.

I like to take my birthday as an opportunity to do things I like to do. I love having a day set aside during which I don't have to stick to someone else's schedule or worry about rules and the needs of others. I can really do things my way, and I can even go a bit overboard because it's my birthday.

The following is a list of ideas about ways to spend your birthday on your own. They are somewhat random and presented in no particular order. I wrote them as I thought of them, but I wanted to create a real list. So many lists online are more about scoring SEO points, and they only offer fluff—stuff everyone else has already said. I wanted this list to be different, and I hope it has at least one great idea for everyone.

Of course, your birthday is your day. Take the ideas you like and leave the ones you don't. Or just ignore the whole list. It's up to you! Have a happy birthday and don't worry about being alone. Being alone just means you can choose how you spend your time without any commentary from others about your choices.

Things to Do by Yourself on Your Birthday

• Take the day off work. Whether you work for yourself or someone else, arrange to have the day off. Use a sick day, a personal day or whatever works.
• Eat what you want. Seriously—whatever you want. Think about dieting, budgeting and health tomorrow.
• Write letters to the people you care about. It's old-fashioned and may seem to take up more hours than you want to give it today, but it can be nice to pause your own celebration and give thanks for what (and who) you have. Mail the letters—don't forget!
• Wear something great. Pick an outfit that makes you feel good and gorgeous.
• Give yourself a compliment. Look in the mirror and say it again.
• Wear something with colours you like. Go with an accessory like a scarf if you don't want too much colour.
• Dress in a style from your past or wear something you still have from when you were a kid, like a scarf, a pin or a hat.
• Buy a birthday pin or ribbon at a greeting card shop and wear it all day.
• If you have dinner, lunch or breakfast at home, go all out and decorate the table. Use the good dishes and cutlery. Add a centrepiece too.
• Spend time on whatever your hobby is. Knit, sew, build a ship in a bottle, go metal detecting, make muffins . . . the list goes on.
• If you have a car, take a drive. Go to another town and pretend you're someone famous for the day.
• Get a manicure and a pedicure—even if you are a guy. Forget outdated gender roles and treat your fingers and toes to a makeover.
• Buy new underwear and/or pajamas and recycle the raggedy-looking stuff you've been wearing for ages.
• Clean something special that's been gathering dust bunnies for a while. That antique mirror from your great-grandma could sparkle again—a job well done.
• Organize something you've let get messy. Maybe the family photos could be sorted out. Perhaps your sock drawer or the surface of your desk has gotten pretty cluttered. Getting rid of clutter feels nice.
• Start the day by getting up early, even if you would rather sleep in. See the sun rising on your birthday and the world (at least your part of it) while getting ready for the new day.
• Buy yourself something new to wear. It can be a whole new outfit or something small and pretty like a brooch or fancy hat you'd never dare to wear on an average day.
• Use every flimsy excuse to tell people it's your birthday. You may get a bonus like a free coffee, but at the very least, a lot of people will wish you a happy birthday.
• Go out for a fancy coffee or tea in the morning when everyone else is planning their day. Get a window seat where you can see the street and the people commuting to work, dealing with errands and wondering how they will get it all done. Meanwhile, there you are sipping tea or coffee and watching the world rush and work and scurry past your window seat.
• Pick up some extra groceries. It sounds silly, but get something—simple or fancy—that you really like. I love to get a steak and cook it myself—as close to rare as I want—while no one is there to "ewww" me about it.
• You know what you really want to do. Don't tell anyone else (unless you have to explain it to someone to get it done). Celebrate your birthday by doing that thing you want to do but keep putting off cause you don't have the time, the patience, the energy or the money. Today is the exception to the normal rules.
• Make amazing plans for the next year. Don't worry about being too practical with your list. Write down anything and everything you might want to do.
• Visit at least one local attraction, event or touristy thing. Pretend you are a tourist for a while. I recommend visiting a museum.
• Weather permitting, give yourself a picnic in the park. Bring a good book and a blanket to sit on.
• If you can manage to stay overnight in a hotel, you can even get late-night room service. That is still one of my favourite things to do for my own birthday. I like getting a hotel right in the downtown area of the big city.
• Take a long soak in the bath. Use fabulous scented soaps and bubbles. Pull out the candles and bring a book into the tub with you. No phones allowed.
• Watch some of the movies you've got collecting dust on your shelves and in drawers. Pop some popcorn and enjoy a beverage of your choice.
• Have champagne or cocktails. Treat yourself to a drink somewhere fancy, get all dressed up and go. Just have one and then leave . . . like a man or woman of mystery.
• Send yourself flowers, bake yourself a cake and get yourself a birthday card. Don't skimp on the traditions just because you're alone.
• No matter how old you are, put a lot of candles on the cake. It looks pretty, and no one will crack jokes about your age . . . unless of course you laugh at yourself.
• Put on music and dance and sing along. No one's watching or listening. Be your own DJ.
• Choose your own adventure. Take a few "wrong" turns and see where you end up. Go to places you've never taken the time to see before.
• Try something new and a bit risky or bold for your usual style. How about rock climbing, going without cosmetics, reading a book that makes you blush or talking to an interesting stranger. You could even get a new haircut.
• Send yourself something in the mail. It could be a gift card from a store you like to shop at. It's like giving yourself a surprise present—you won't know exactly when it will show up.
• Don't spend your birthday catching up on laundry or dishes or other endless household chores. They will all still be there tomorrow. If you have to, get dishes and laundry done the day before so they don't bug you on your birthday.
• Have a fancy, deluxe birthday cake, even if you buy it somewhere instead of making it. Don't count every calorie on your birthday.
• Walk somewhere. The beach and public parks are nice, even in winter. Take a camera along and be a photojournalist for the day.
• Do something for someone else. Visit an elderly relative, spend an hour babysitting your sister's kids or run an errand for your mother. Limit the time you spend on this, but remember that it's nice not to make your birthday all about you all day.
• Write about your day at the end of the day. Start a journal if you've never had one or find your old journal if you used to keep one. A journal is a great way to wind down, organize your thoughts and give yourself some time with your thoughts.
• Tell one lie about yourself to a stranger. Yes, it sounds silly. But just for today (your birthday), let someone think you're more impressive than you think you really are.
• Buy a lottery ticket. Don't forget to check it!
• Create an invitation to your own birthday for the next year. Buy a pretty card or make your own.

Kimberly Raye Writes the Dead End Dating Series with Lil Marchette

Lil Marchette is a fashionista vampire. Labels matter and she does like her clothes. But, keep reading. Lil wants her own life. She begins her own dating agency for paranormals like vampires and werewolves (who are real party girls). Lil struggles to keep her business afloat while keeping her vampire status from her friend and solo employee.

Lil meets Ty, of course there has to be a hunky vampire guy... but Ty is not for Lil. Ty isn't a born vampire and only born vampires are able to have children. Lil's parents would never approve and though she wants her own life she can't leave her family behind. Even though they are pretty high on the eccentric level. (Not by their own born vampire standards of course).

Dead End Dating is the ongoing story of Lil as she tries to balance her life, her business, help friends and dating clients and keep her family from intruding into what she has built as her own life, for herself. Plus, she is a vampire and has those kind of needs too.

I don't identify with the world of the fashionable types. It was a big plus for me that Lil is written as a woman who likes life, colour and being her own person. I like Lil because she wants to make something of herself and she doesn't give up. I also like her efforts to pay her bills and get her dating agency off the ground. Things don't always go her way, like someone in a romance novel.

Resources for Dead End Dating Fans

• Wikipedia - Kimberly Raye
• Goodreads Kimberly Raye

Die Anna was from the first Carmageddon game in the series. I hope they bring more women drivers into the game. Not as slutty bystander types but real drivers who don't show cleavage.

Wreckage, Mayhem, Demolition and the Mooing of Cows

Weekend Carmageddon marathons are some of my favourite ways to spend couple time. Not so much on the romantic side but it was pure pleasure. Hunting down my husband, determined to find his hideout spot and smash his car into bits of wreckage on the pavement - with him in it! Could you find a better way to spend a weekend together?

Carmageddon is a video game. You race a car around a track (several tracks with different themes) and you choose how you want to win the game.

• Demolition - Wreck and disable all the other players.
• Race - Be the first to get to the finish line - not as easy as it sounds.
• Carnage - Kill every last pedestrian, cow, dog, etc.

No, it's not a game for everyone. I'd rate it for the over 16 crowd but I know younger people are playing. I don't think they really have the maturity to appreciate the dark humour of the game. It should be taken as dark humour. If you look at it too closely you will just be horrified and never have any fun at all.

I've read posts from people who say they learned to drive, partially, from playing Carmageddon. You do get put into the driver's seat on a real tough course. You learn to control your vehicle in skids, wipe outs and over very rolling and bumpy terrain. Over time you develop a feel for how sharp or slow you need to take the turns without having your car spin out. I don't know if this experience will translate into the real world of driving a real car, but I've always thought it did (for me).

Mostly I play the game just for fun, some stress release and a chance to let out my dark humour in a way that harms none (husbands don't count when they're in the game).

Play Carmageddon on the LAN (Multiplayer)

We hooked up our computers over a network so we could both play on the game, at the time same. This was drastically fun. If you have some technical know-how and the hard ware to do it, I highly recommend playing Carmageddon as a LAN game with someone who won't get too angry once you turn their car into scrap metal.

Run Carmageddon 1 on a LAN - YouTube Video Instructions.

Carmageddon as a Single Player

Play alone and enjoy driving recklessly.

Target the computer players, track and hunt them down or get as many points as you can from power ups (some are hidden or take skill to access) and finish the race while leaving everyone else spinning around.

So far, winning the race has been kind of ignored when it comes to the computer generated players. You can always out race them on the regular game tracks. But, Carmageddon has not ignored the need for speed. There are games which you can only win by finishing before the timer runs out. But, you have a few obstacles... things like boats, nuclear reactors, treacherous roads, livestock, pedestrians, monster trucks with road rage and so on.

Carmageddon is Not for Animal Lovers without a Sense of Humour

Carmageddon 1 had cows on a track of the game. I know it sounds pretty bad to say I loved getting them, but I did and they are just digital cows. There was no cruelty to any real animals.

Carmageddon 2 (Carpocalypse) has dogs. I don't mind admitting I have very little affection for dogs. So, based on past personal experience, being able to run dogs down in the street did give me personal satisfaction. (You try being attacked by dogs and pulling a mouthful of teeth off your four-year-old sister and see how friendly you feel about dogs).

So, I know the dog killing spree won't be for everyone. You can still get the pedestrians and get points for extra skill in splattering them around. We all have some of our fellow man and woman we have no sentimental feelings for. Admit it, you'd secretly like to run down at least one person. Carmageddon is just a game, but it gives you that chance. Peer pressure be damned.

Carmageddon @carmageddongame