Deb Came to Visit!

One of my dearest friends in the entire world came to visit!
She is an original Bestie.
A Lifer.
I have known Deb since elementary school. Had way too much fun being her friend through high school. Actually survived living together in an apartment during our early twenties.And we managed to remained friends even when she moved away.
She has been the glue of my foursome friendship with Sheri, Lynn, Deb & I. She is the calm one. The rational one. She is logical, and well, she does have a degree in Psychology and therefore, can make us all maintain and "chillax".

But this year the girlfriend trip was different.

We originally planned to go to Deb's in Tennessee earlier in the year, but that got scratched. Actually, Sher & I couldn't make it, however, Lynn did make the trip south. Sheri also made the trip earlier the year before. I am the only one that has yet to visit Merino Manor. Something always gets in the way. I must make it a priority to visit before the year is up.

We are women in our mid/late forties.
We have issues.
We have drama.
We have life altering experiences going on in our little lives. Something seems to be going on in each of our lives that is pulling and tugging at us. Whereas we should unite and bond stronger, which we always have been able to do, isn't happening this time. There are some things that are weighing heavy in our hearts. That were "off limits" to discuss this time around. That is hard with four women that have always said what they felt and not afraid of the truth. It is hard to explain, and not appropriate for me to discuss. I just feel sadness as I know things will never be the same.

Some times things happen, and no matter how hard you want or try, you can't go back.

So, we did much of our weekend in parts. Deb spent great times with each of us individually. And great times with us together. The together times were as if an elephant was in the room. Safe conversations only we discussed. We laughed, we ate, and we did enjoyed each others company.

...but it just isn't the same.

Aunt Jemima Came to Live With Us!

Look what I got!!! Now as you know, Lynn & I are passionate about antiquing. We each have our items that we search for. Lynn is big on ashtrays and political pins. Me, I love looking for Cookie jars and old black dolls, Aunt Jamima items, and Sammi items. Once I found a Humpty Dumpty Cookie Jar in mint condition, on sale for..$495. Slightly out of my price range! Someday though, I want to have a cookie jar collection in the bulk head of the kitchen cabinets. I want an old house and do my kitchen very retro.

When we had our Girls Weekend, Lynn & I dragged Sher & Deb to an Antique Mall. Low and behold, I found not one, but two Aunt Jamima Cookie jars, in perfect condition! But, even though they were priced very well ($35 & $40), that was my weekend girls money and choose to use it on the weekend rather than myself. Sneaky Lynn, asked which of the Aunt Jamima's I preferred. One was wearing a blue dress and the other white. I felt the white was more authentic and looked better.

Today, I was surprised by Aunt Jamima on my dining room table! Stinkerbell Lynn went back and bought her for me!

Isn't she lovely? I am blown away. I haven't had something like that done for me in a long time.

I LOVE IT & I LOVE YOU LYNN!

What a great friend. I am a happy girl today ( :

A Much Needed New Word

During my girls weekend, my dear friend, Lynn, on more than one occasion, told me to "Chillax". Apparently, I worry too much and ponder things too hard. I forget to remember what ever will be will be.
Guilty.
She, as well as Deb and Sheri, have always had a vast vocabulary that I have always been jealous of. Together they took Etymology while I took an Art class. They were Advance English, I went for the easy Basic English classes. They were pushed and relished learning. I was told take the easy so you will get the high grades. Hmm. Do you wonder why I pushed my girls? I made them take Etymology.
Today, I love learning new words! I love knowing them and using them. I keep my Handy Dictionary by my side and open in several times through the day. I couldn't get through a blog posting without it. I use my spell check, but trust my dictionary more. When I read something or hear something that I do not know the meaning I look it up. I think that I have trained the girls, and even Sergio, that the dictionary is your best friend in English.
As for the word "Chillax". It may not be found in my trusty dictionary, but I know what it means. It is okay to make up words in my world. When I start to stress out and freak out, I hear Lynn tell me,

Chillax Man, you need to just Chillax!

"don't forget your questions!"

One of the fun little things my besties and I look forward to with our Girls Weekends is, The Questions. I can't remember who came up with this, although I suspect, our Ms Sheri. It can seem strange, invasive and even rude. However we see it differently. Lynn had to take some warming up to it as she is new in our Girls Weekend. She hesitated to say the lest. But eventually she got it. She was ready to play.

Above are a few of the questions we had this year. Every year we are to come up with as many as we can and fold them into tiny pieces. We carry a bag around with us,as we never know when we will be ready for one. These are not just to break that quietness that sometimes can creep up (so I am told as we never have a quite moment). We take them to lunch, dinner, movies, whatever.

Some questions are deep. Some helpful. And some silly. They make us learn more about each other as well as ourselves. They help us to improve and help us to appreciate. Rarely do they make us mad often make us smile.

We have lots of rules. Some of us get a little pissy if the rules are not followed. Particularly, "it's not your turn!" You also have to go around in order to answer. The person that drew the question, reads it, then answers first. Then its CLOCKWISE. You are also allowed to toss it back in the bag if it is one better read with a glass of wine or another time. You can also pass. We also tend to comment on each others answers.
(Here is Sheri contemplating her question)Silly as it seems, we love the questions. It is one of our favorite things. I must also add that some of the answers are, "to the grave!"

Whew! What a Weekend!

First, let me tell you, I realize how
fortunate I am to have these amazing friends. I know that it is a rare thing to have been friends for 30 plus years. Seriously, countless people ask, "Really? You are still best friends all these years?"

We have had our moments. There have been gaps in the friendships. But, we got it back. The biggest gap was losing Lynn. I am still tickled pink to have found her and have her rejoin our circle of friendship.

Our weekend was filled with laughter. You know the belly laughs, snorting laughs and the "I peed alittle laughs". There are few people that can pull those kind of laughs out of me. We had a few tears as well. But that is a good thing! To have friends you can truly pour out your heart to. About how you feel and about what each other needs to do. We have a rule that you can tell me anything I need to hear and I will still love you. "I will listen and I will take it to heart. I will still ultimately make my own decision, but, I do want your input."
We sat around the dining room table most of the weekend and talked while none stop munching and yes, wine was involved. We got out a couple of times. Had a fun run to lunch, antiquing (still Lynn & mine thing, Sher & Deb clearly don't understand the passion in this). We also ran to Sher's parents to visit and laugh. We made it to church on Sunday, and yes, the preacher called me out as I kept giving Sheri a look. In my defense, I was trying to make Sheri pay attention to what the preacher was saying. I wasn't trying to be disrespectful or anything. Rev Cameron was great.


All in all, what a weekend. Monday, after Deb left, I felt sad. My house was too quite. My Besties were gone. Back to my daily life. BUT.. my Besties are always with me. They are such a part of me and who I am. They gave me strength, courage, laughter and love to carry on and to take with me day to day. They are just a phone call away. We will talk and see each other often.
The Girls Weekends are so important to us. They build us up and make us better people, wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends.

I have much more to share. But will give you bits at a time. Plenty to blog about. But I don't want to write the novel today!

Stay Tuned....

Having a blast with my Besties!

It is Heaven, more to come, they are waiting for me to get off the computer!
(=

The Girls Are Back In Town!

Jan
Lynn
Deb
Sheri
That's us! Back in 1979. THIRTY YEARS AGO!
We are reuniting this weekend. All FOUR of us! This will be the first time in almost 30 years that we will be together again. The long lost fourth Goldie is no longer MIA. We got our Lynn back.

So this weekend, Deb is arriving, and we will reminisce, rejoice and celebrate.
We will laugh, sing, and cry.

I need these girls. And I like to believe they need me too!

Countdown to Girls Weekend!

My best friends and I are getting together for a Girls Weekend! I am so excited. Deb is flying in and we are planting ourselves at Sheri's. This will be a weekend of laughs and tears. We will eat well and drink well too. I doubt we will leave the house.

In years past we have gone places to meet. We have been to Las Vegas, Indianapolis, Nashville, St Louis, and Chicago. All hold wonderful memories. The best thing about it and the fondest memories are from the time we spend together. Just hanging in the room. I am glad we are not staying in a Hotel this time. Staying at Sheri's is great. We will have access to cook ourselves and all the comforts of home. Plus, having the Gabby girl (Sheri's dog) with us will be fun.

We play this fun little game with little strips of paper in a bag. The strips have questions and comments that we discuss. Throughout the weekend we will take turns pulling questions out. Some are serious, some are interesting, and some are hilarious!

The countdown is on. Today is the 18th. Deb will be here on the 26th. That is just 8 more days!!!!

I can't wait!