Several things strike me about these get togethers. First, they are so much fun. We all take food and there is wine and excellent conversation about kids and schools and the things that make a community function. We could probably solve most of the world's problems in the hour we eat and drink - if the wine held out.
Our group varies greatly from month to month depending on who can sneak out of their house to attend. We range from a woman with a 3 year old to grandmothers who have a little bit of trouble remembering which number we are rolling from time to time.Here's the thing - about 2/3 of these women I had never met prior to these evenings starting. And I have lived in this neighborhood for over 15 years. How does that happen?
Of course, I know the answers to that question. Women used to be home all day and had more opportunity to meet their neighbors. Children used to play in their neighborhoods instead of being shuttled around all over town for one activity after another. It's not really our fault, but we have lost some of our sense of community. It pains me that these lovely women have been living so close to me all these years and I never knew them.
We trade stories and quips about kids and life. The grandmothers seem to get some bizarre satisfaction out of hearing the war stories of those of us still with kids under our roofs. The moms with younger kids love to look at those of us with older ones and think, "I'm sure not going to make the same mistakes she is making". It's great to be in a multi-generational group.I really am enjoying getting to know them.
And taking their money.
(CD focusing on peace and stillness giveaway here.)
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102 comments:
That's fantastic that you are able to get to know some of the women who live nearby. I miss the days when neighbors really knew each other.
I love having neighbors that are also friends, it's kind of rare these days.
Secretia
Sounds like fun. I have heard of these games but really don't know what bunko is! Perhaps I should find out and maybe there is a game playing in my neighborhood. :)
When I first moved to Palmdale (years ago) my neighbor came to my home with a homemade apple pie to say welcome to the neighborhood!!! We call our present neighborhood, the Leave it to Beaver neighborhood. All the adults watch the kids (and when they need it) actually scold each others kids!! We don't have bunco night but it's a pretty cool place to live.
We have wonderful neighbors and I'm thankful. It seems life takes over and there isn't enough time to enjoy an evening with friends and/or neighbors.
Congrats on the winnings!
I miss being a stay-at-home-mom, but since my youngest is in college, I can't justify it any more. :)
Sounds like you have a great time with your neighbors!
I loved my bunco group in Auburn, so starting one here was one of the first things I did. We're like you - we range from a mommy to be (she's due March 6) to grandmothers. For me that's one of the best parts of this great group!
this really sounds like fun!
sadly, the only neighbors i know, i don't like. maybe that's because no one stops by just to say "hello" any more. just to complain.
Since our neighbors down the street run a supposedly-legal grow op, and Husband um, er... well, he's professionally mandated to be opposed to such industry - the pickins or somewhat slim. That and I have to start work on Monday. YUCK. :(
I really should learn this bunco thing.
Wow! A community party! Not that is rare within itself!! Glad you had a good time. And the $30 didn't hurt either! LOL!
Hugs
SueAnn
Sounds like fun. I actually had a bad dream the other night about being forced to play Bunco against my will. I've never even played and have no clue how!
great outreach acts...
awesome post!
jingle
Tried bunco, couldn't get fully on board (and later found out a girl was cheating each time! SO weird!)
But getting together with my girls, well I do LOVE that :)
I don't really know the women in my neighborhood. Isn't that a shame?
Never played Bunco, but I think its a great idea for a get together.
We have a neighborhood bunco game too. It's a great way to meet your neighbors...glad you don't live my neighborhood, I'm usually the one leaving with a fatter wallet,. I would want to have to hurt your feelings! ;-)
It's wonderful to read about your group! I can just picture the good time you all were having, especially you!
I have never played Bunco! Sob.
Sounds like it was a profitable night : )
Having neighbors who know each other is good. I agree that are kids are shuttled around more than back when kiddos could just run around and get to know everyone in the neighborhood. It's kinda scary out there now, though.
I wish I knew my neighbors.
Yay that sounds like so much fun!
Think they'll let you join them at the next neighborly gathering? hehe
Sounds like a lot of fun. I remember growing up, playing outside w/ the neighbors as our mothers sat and chatted. I can't remember the last time that my kids played w/ neighborhood kids, mostly because we live so far out in the sticks.
I do the bunco thing too. Does your group actually finish all 6 sets? We never do because we end up talking, losing track of time and score and end up sitting and chatting the rest of the evening! Fun though. :)
I would love that too! Sounds like so much fun. Maybe I should start something like that....
Don´t really know bunko, but I guess any game would do.
It's funny. I have never really lived in a neighborhood. Even in NJ I was in a very rural area. Now my closest neighbor is a horse barn. I mean the horses neigh at me every morning but I don't think I want them in my living room....
How wonderful that you are able to get to know your neighbors that way. After living in our house for 6 months we took cookies to our neighbors as we had still not met one of them. They were all super nice, but really haven't seen any of them again since, everyone is too busy in their own lives and all work out of the home
That sounds wonderful!
We barely know our neighbors. Most of them are retired, we're kind of the token young family on the block. It's kind of lonely.
I played Bunco fairly regularly when we lived in Atlanta. The houses were pretty much right on top of each other so you had to not only know your neighbors, you had to want to know them! Not a lot of diversity there though. Here in San Diego, I've got great diversity (native Italians on one side and an elderly couple on the other) but no one really wants to socialize. Part of the live and let live philosophy, I think.
Congratulations on winning the pot! I hope you had to wear something silly at one point in the evening, otherwise it's not Bunco!
That sounds wonderful! I wish I was closer to my neighbors.
I wish our neighborhood did that! Sounds fun.
First off, I hope you take your winnings to Vegas and throw it all on Red.
Second, I know about 6 hoouses on our block of 20+ and that is super sad.
Maybe I should start Bunco.
Makes me excited for girls night on Friday.
This post makes me slightly envious of you! Not for the money (ok, maybe a little) but for the female companionship.
What fun! I miss the having neighbors that you want to know. LOL!
What fun! I miss the having neighbors that you want to know. LOL!
I think it's absolutely wonderful that you all get together like that. You are right....no more neighborhood feeling of community.
We used to have a bunco group but no one ever really made it a priority to be there, so we were always short people. Plus no one ever indulged in the wine :( I've met some different ladies recently thought, and been thinking I should try to start another group. Hmmm....
Congratulations on your winnings!
Your post makes me wistful...neighbors definitely go their own way here and there's little sense of community. That's so important, though, I think.
Our society is too fast paced, I think. I wish is wasn't.
How fun! I really hope when we buy a home to have great neighbors who my hubby and I can become friends with!
Hey...loved your comment at POM, you have to tell me if posting 3x per week has bothered your readers or hurt your traffic. Because that sounds like a fantastic idea!
http://thepursuitofmommyness.com/
Very cool. I love me some bunko, but my group is now defunct, which makes me sad.
I wish my community had these get togethers. I'm moving to your neighborhood!
Never played bunco, but if there's an opportunity to win cash, I'm in!
Living in a great neighborhood makes life so much easier! We don't have bunco groups up north, but all my friends down south do!
That sounds like a lot of fun. I've never played Bunco, but heard it was fun.
I hardly even know my neighbors. That's great you can get together with the different ladies in yours.
LOL! Taking their money! That's awesome.
I so wish I knew my neighbors but I don't. I'm lazy like that. The ones I do know are weird and I don't let my kids play over there. I guess it's my fault. *sigh* I'd still take their money though.
Thank you for visiting my blog again and leaving a comment. We definately struggle to get to know our neighbors, and we all have toddlers. We are the only ones who take evening walks regularly instead of watching TV, I delivered cookies to all the kids on V-day. We invite them to potlucks etc. and it has yet to really pay off. Everyone is just too busy. Anyway I love how you creatively mix narrative and images and I plan to "follow" you now as my daily humor dose. Which as a SAHM I really need!
mymommymakesit
making toys from recycled items to save my sanity and the planet
But you especially enjoy taking their money. ;-)
My sisters neighborhood manages to still retain some of that sense of "community." Places like that are rare!!!! On my street, I have met exactly...four neighbors. And one of them lives, literally, in my front yard.
I often find that the older the lady is the more cash she seems to have stashed away.
And I have to agree with you about community. I have been in so many situations over the years where 'knowing your neighbour' would have helped but sadly it was yet more proof of our automical society.
Sounds like the perfect evening out. Neighbors really don't get together anymore...tis a shame. I'm so glad your havin' a blast with yours.
God bless and have a glorious day!!!
My friend is part of a Bunco group and I've always thought it sounded like a lot of fun. Does seem like a good way to connect.
Great neighborhood you get to live in!! When my kids were young we used to gather outside with neighbors while all our kids played and we ate and talked and it was so much fun. I have never played Bunco but I am so glad you won!
Congrats on your winnings! Looks like a swank neighborhood you live in - Condoleeza Rice & all!
Great read- check out my blog for an award for you.
You said it perfectly...too much of the community is going in different directions. It would be nice to have the neighbors hang out and just enjoy one another from time to time. Congrats on your winnings!
ok, so how did ya'll start this group if you didn't know each other... I hate not knowing the neighbors and would love to do something like that...
I've never heard of Bunco, but I'd like to learn how to have fun, and come home with $30 !
We have an amazing neighbourhood, so I feel glad for you that you are so blessed. It makes such a difference .
That is a good mix of ladies. My 'hood needs more of these get togethers - wine...good, money...good, conversations...great.
Please! Come start a bunco club in my 'hood! Sounds like fun.
Oh, you crack me up, Debbie! I am glad you are $30 to the good.
I love our spirit. Keep taking their money.
They were all super nice, but really haven't seen any of them again since, everyone is too busy in their own lives and all work out of the home.
antalya homes
Laughing as always. I love coming here, it's my little dose of good medicine for the day.
xoxox
Tomorrow is my BUNKO night!
Our group is a multi-aged group from church. I have ALWAYS enjoyed having friends of differing ages. It's a good way to stay "connected"...I am also still connected to my Tulsa Bunko Group which I have played with for YEARS!! So FUN!!
My neighborhood use to be like that...my whole town was like that years ago...now not so much!
lol...and take their money. neighbors are fun...
What a great thing for your neighborhood to do! I think our communities need more things like this.
Bunco night is the best night. I love it for almost the exact same reasons as you... except for the fact that I ALWAYS lose. :)
Oh how I wish I lived in your neighborhood. This sounds like a great gathering. I barely know my neighbors.
Congrats on winning $30!!! Sweet.
xo
what a blast...i wonder would be into that around here....my hubby would have a fit!
i actually don't know for sure if there are neighbours living in the houses around here lol.
my kids are the only one that play around in the neighbourhood...they're always outside
It is good to have a social life - for fun and profit!
Now that's what I call a sense of community: getting to know people while winning their money... ;-)
I'm 63 and I think I'd love this..you guys sound like the best.
Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com
wow Debby this sounds fantastic, great you all get along what a community that must be, great, take care xx
My daughters have a Bunco group and it sounds really fun, maybe because it is more about the wine than about playing cards. I hope you spend your $30 win very unwisely.
I love this! I am all for communities coming together. That you profit from it~just beautiful! :)
Thanks for commenting on my blog. Getting to know your neighbors is great. It helps to be a part of a community and feel that support. I personally appreciate being able to have their phone numbers and know I can call if there is an emergency or even if I need a cup of flour.
I think a girls' night out every month is mandatory, and if you get to come home with some cold hard cash, more power to you!
By the way, just found your blog and love it! (Thanks for commenting on my cookie post over at isthisREALLYmylife.com.) I'm one of your newest followers!
HAHA! Hey.. bunko can be very competitive! A little flaunting is just part of the game. Love this post. Thank you for your comment on my site and visiting via SITS!
Great way to get to know thy neighbors and sounds fun. :D
That is great that you have such neighbors. Being able to reach out to someone that close to talk is a wonderful feeling.
This sounds like so much fun. Espcially the winning and boasting about it!!!!
I wish I had a bunco group. Or just a wine group???
I agree. Community in neighborhoods have changed. It's sad, but it can be re-claimed. I love the Bunco idea. You're giving me ideas!
I used to be part of a Bunco group like that too, but I'm realizing now that I gave up that activity for ones with women more my age (hubby was getting a little annoyed that I was out, like 2 nights a week!!) - with kids more my kids' ages (as you know from my blog, I have quite a few 'happy hour playdates'). Anywho, reading this post of yours made me realize that i really SHOULD have continued with that group... there is some striking benefit to being part of a multi-generational, social group like that. I'm on the 'sub' list... and will be sure to say 'yes' the next time I'm called!
PS - I know what a BIG deal it is to win $30, btw! you go girl!!
What a great night! I so relate to being one of those Moms who doesn't know many of the other women in her neighborhood. I keep my kids safe in the house, or outside with supervision. The world has changed and we have lost so much!
knowing our neighbors is rare, but it's even rarer to participate in a multigenerational group. what a blessing:)
My neighborhood used to have bunko gatherings but sadly, they were disbanded. =[ I'm glad you made out like a bandit!
Let me guess -- are you the one in the red polka dot dress? ;-)
I've never played Bunco before, but I heard it's fun!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting!!
~ Jennifer
I soooooo wish my neighborhood were this friendly!
haha...congratulations on your winnings :o)
Bunco nights were fun get-together nights with us military wives...the years we lived on military installations, in military housing have been great...we did get to know eachother well, perhaps circumstances, such as spouses' deployments played a big part of the desire and need to be there for each other.
...yet, how true that often we find ourselves living for years in neighborhoods and yet are relative strangers...so it's been great that the neighbors on our street have gathered together for birthdays or bar-b-ques in the summer, etc.
Blessings & Aloha!
(thankyou so much for stopping by and do come back any time :o)
Love that you're taking their money!!! Keep it up! I'm guilty of always saying no to those kinds of events!
That's how I feel about blogging!! Getting to know so many different age woman and men.
that sounds so fun! I have heard Bunco is a really good time :-) Happy FF!
I have lots of neighbors and have lots of fun...would love to have a 'variety' as you describe. We have a neighborhood full of young people and lots of kids...I will admit we do have a lot of fun, though we could use a 'grandmother' in the bunch!
There is so much to love about this post. I was in a neighborhood bunco group for 5 years when I lived in Phoenix and I absolutely loved it. I met some really great women that I would otherwise never had met. As for a sense of community, I have to agree with you that this is something that is sorely missing from society today. Our lives are so busy with running from one thing to another that there is very little time to just sit on your front porch and watch the world go by. (At least that's what I remember my grandparents doing). And I love the idea of multi-generational friendships. We all have so much to learn from each other. You are lucky to get this experience - even if only once a month. (And winning money isn't so bad, either).
Great post! I gave you an award on my blog, stop by when you can!
~ Elise
I know how it is...and love meeting "new" old neighbors on my Circle after living here almost 7 years. I have 2 new good and fun friends that I met for the first time only 4 months ago...we talk often even if we can't meet up.
Congrats on your winnings!!!
I've heard Bunco mentioned on a few blogs since I started this online journey. Anything that brings women together along with food and the possibility of winning a little cash is good. $30 would be a nice start to dinner out, or a couple books, or a stash of chocolate...
Congrats!
We get together with the neighbors 80-11 months old quite a bit. Love hearing the war stories and secrets they keep!
I know one person who lives close to me.
That's it.
I think I might be anti-social. :D
Ha! You obviously don't have a "Nutty Nora" living next door .. the biggest gossip in the road, she who took me over on the first day we moved in, and who has been camping out on my doorstep ever since. I know EVERY sleasy secret of everyone on the island, real or imagined, met or not! (Oops, I'm starting to rant now, aren't I? Sorry..)
Er, what I MEANT to say was, fancy doing a house-swap? (Blush)
Y'know...I feel the same way about my neighborhood. My husband has lived here for about 5 years, and me about 4. But I don't really know the women in it. Partially it is because I don't have any children to discuss, and that seems to be a major dividing line. Although, it shouldn't be. I'd be happy to discuss what my cats puked up while we were on vacation or what I'm going to do if somebody misses the litterbox one more time. But even if we did have kids that played out in the cul-de-sac, everyone is mysteriously squirreled away in their homes. So nice to know it's not just me that misses out on the neighborhood socializing!
Sounds like a great way to get to know the neighbors! I have lived in this apartment complex for a year and a half and know no more people than I did when I moved in. It would be nice to get to know some of them!
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