A day trip to favorite antique shops in Olde Town Portsmouth in the morning and an afternoon matinee at The Commodore Theatre, my very favorite. Visit local consignment stores, prepared to buy something different and exciting. Go out for a milkshake with my husband.

My sister has moved permanently to the Northern Neck and there is no better place to spend two days on the river that feel like a whole week's vacation. My college roommate lives near Gettysburg and has invited us to visit and tour the battlefield and then enjoy a dinner with old friends from our college days in D.C. We should all be so lucky to have such friends. And, we can all be such friends.

Just as we appreciate those who treat us to joyful times, even mini vacations, we can pay it forward. Each of us can think of someone who would love a little outing. Sometimes just a surprise luncheon can be a treat; other times a day at Busch Gardens with some kids can let us be kids again.

There are people who volunteer who will tell us it truly is better to give than to receive. They see a day visiting the elderly as a day well spent or coaching a little league as a regular happy outing. No one need sit home and be bored. No one need feel deprived of fun experiences.

I have a friend taking a photography class at a city adult education center. She is already a fantastic photographer but wants to be better. She finds joy in photography. Another friend is part of a walking group. While I never realized a six mile walk - or two - on any given day was something to celebrate, she does it on a regular basis.

And I'm going to find a few more friends on Facebook and walk down memory lane. Imagine all these choices! I gave up a vacation but will replace it with a dozen mini vacations. Lucky me!

Jean Loxley-Barnard has been a writer all her life and studied both sociology and psychology at George Washington University where she earned a B.A. Her company, The Shopper, Inc., encompasses all the Loxley-Barnard family publications - The Shopper Magazines and Doctor to Doctor Magazine. She has been in the advertising, consulting and publishing business for 39 years.