Girls Night

Everyone needs to get together with friends.

I especially am a fan of Guys Night and Girls Night out. 
My Hubby and I always realized how important it is for us to be individuals and to enjoy friendships outside of our marriage. 
Hmm.. that sounded strange. What I mean is to get out with friends without spouses.

Hubby works way to hard and way to many hours. He always has. Giving him a night out with guy friends is a rare but necessary step for his sanity.  When the girls were young, he went on a yearly Ski Trip with guy friends, that totally re-amped him. Later, he would jump on the Harley and go for a ride with a friend. Sometimes it's just grabbing a bite with a buddy.

For me~ I use to take a yearly trip with Besties, Have a Margarita night once and a while, and a favorite night out for me was BUNCO (which I have written about HERE ). Lately though, I am embracing girl friends and making every effect to spend more time with those who make me smile.

Mary, Bev, Maureen, Lee, Leslie, Me, Julie, Lisa, Norma

Last night I was Blessed to join some dear friends for a lovely evening.
I sent a message out to 20 girlfriends for a dinner get together and was pleasantly surprised that half were able to make it out on a Monday evening. (Julie L is missing from photo). The above photo shows you some of my high school classmates of the class of 1980. It was a joyous evening of laughter & random conversations all going at the same time. 

♥The clatter of friendship. 

It was heavenly♥ 

Part of the wonderful thing about this group of woman, is that even though we went to school together, and all knew each other, we did not "run" together in the same cliques. I considered them all friends, however, there were different points in my life that I was closer to one or the other over those years. Some I have been blessed with knowing well and not losing touch over the years. And some I hadn't seen in twenty-some years. Yet, we all picked up like it was yesterday. No awkward pause... no regrets...no tears. Just a bunch of belly laughs and even some gentle loving advice. Some have been widowed, some divorced, some celebrating 20-31 years of marriage. Some have children, some do not. But we all share a common love and desire to have girlfriends.

Life is short and unexpected. I have had too many things pull me down or knock me over. I am learning, you get what you get... make the best of it.  There is no time to waste feeling sorry or second guessing.  For me, I am going to grasp the golden ring, I am going to enjoy.

Quondam Tuesday ~ Photobooths

Recently, while attending a wedding, the couple had a photo booth set up at the reception. I loved this idea! (Although I could not get Hubby to go in it). All the young adults hovered around it laughing and enjoying. The company that supplies it, sets it up for the guest to enjoy their photo strip (free), and copies go to the newlyweds.

Got me thinking about the fun in photo booths over the years. I know I have many more, but here are the ones I dug up for Quondam Tuesday.

Gene Gardner 1943

This dashing young man is my Great Uncle Gene in 1943. He was Grandma Kitty's brother. A charming wonderful man she loved dearly, & I am sure I would have too.

Jan around 1972

Awe, look at me! I am guessing here but probably around 1972, ten years old.

Mary & I 1974

This is my Lifer Mary (Moore) Dougherty. So cute.

Tammy & I 1975?

Tammy (Bayliff) Cunningham and I around 7th grade. I loved those octagon glasses!

Tammy, Mary & I 1975?

This is me and Tammy again, joined by Mary (Crenshaw) Gilleispe. We had a Camp Fire Girl event at a mall. That is our groovy Indian costumes thingys with our patches & beads. Notice my tongue. Must have been eating candy?

Tribby/Meyer cousins 1977?

This was hilarious. We got all FIVE of us cousin in the booth! In front~ Janet, Julie. Back~ Shari, Me, Leann.
Julie & I had so much fun when the Tribby cousin came to town. My Mom was great at making our time memorable & we packed as much as possible into our visits.

Nadine & I Summer 1977

Nadine Wilham was one of my Best buddies in San Antonio. She lived down the road from my Grandparents, and we quickly became friends. I lost touch with her though over the years. I ran into her brothers at Grandpa's funeral, but Nadine couldn't make it. She was a Doll, and I have great memories with her.

Grandma Kitty & I 1978

Many of you are familar with this one. I have it enlarged and framed in the dining room, and keep the original in my wallet over my driver's license. It is without a doubt my favorite photo. I see and feel the love Grandma had for me in this photo. I adored her as much as she did me. Two peas in a pod.

Me & Deb, 1980

Deb (Wiggington) Merino, Lifer Bestie. I know I have more of her & some with Sheri & Lynn. They are misplaced though.

Rich & I 1981

Here I have Richie & I. Thinking this was taken in 1981, but may be wrong. I love how we aren't ready for the first shot.

I would love to see your photo booth pictures. Don;'t they just make you smile?

An-Shish-Ka-O

Today I had a luncheon with five women I have know almost forever. These women are my Camp Fire Girls Sisters. From left to right: Tammy, Me, Mary D., Pam, Mary G., and Sheila. Unfortunately over the years we have not seen each other as often as I wish we had. We grew up and lost touch. Seeing each other on rare occasions. Two of these women, Pam & Mary G (who used to be known as Mary C growing up) shared their most precious part of them; Their Moms. Pat (Pam's Mom), along with Betty (Mary G's Mom) bravely lead our troop through grade school, middle school and kindof high school. They were a huge part of who I am and why I survived.

Growing up, we were all a little different. But magically that was what made us such a part of each other.

Today, we laughed we cried, we ate, we embraced. It is wonderful to be able to pick up where we left off so many years ago.
We have a few other sisters. A couple we haven't been able to find. Another that was unable to join us. Hopefully another time they will.

Having those Camp Fire Girls Meetings taught me so much. Socialization skills, crafting skills, business skills, and having FUN. Our leaders were wonderful women. They taught us to expand our horizons. To step outside the box. To be brave. And oh, did I mention? Have fun!We camped together (Ha Ha, seriously. I use to like that kind of stuff... especially with these girls!) We went to interesting and fun places. We gave back to the community (do you remember girls driven be leaders in a station wagon picking up the tied newspapers the night before trash day? That was us collecting for recycling back in the seventies before everyone recycled. We dressed in our "ceremonial gowns" (yes~ I am in that pamphlet!) and went to the malls and places to promote Camp Fire Girls and to show our skills off. Lord, I remembering some of us a little nervous in 8th grade hoping other school mates would not see us and make fun of our "Indian costumes".
I learned many of my leadership skills from being a Camp Fire Girl. Imagine that? A little girl growing up to want to make things better and felt prouder because a couple of women and a band of sisters made me feel so loved and special.

I want to thank them all. Particularly Pam & Mary G, for sharing their Mothers with us girls. I understand how hard that is as my daughters also shared me. I want to thank them, as well as Tammy, Mary D, Sheila for coming today and becoming a part of my life again. They as well as Lori, Toni, Karen, Stephaine, Lisa & Christine, (where ever they are) helped me to become who I am. I will love them and the memories we share, forever.

Until our next Camp Fire Girls meeting~ Wo He Lo!
Love~ Tacinca

Remember These?

Okay, enough of Queen! That got old. So, I changed the playlist to four oldies but goodies.

Mary D~ be sure you listen to Uncle Albert!

Enjoy!

Friends to the End

I had lunch with my dear friend Mary yesterday. Time flew as we got caught up. She is as wonderful as always.

A true friend to the end.

Do yourself a favor this week. Get in contact with a friend you have not talked to for some time. Call them, email them, snail mail, whatever. Just do it.

Friendships are one of the best gifts that God gives us and we do not take advantage of the joys of this blessing near enough.

Friendships, especially girlfriends, make us laugh, listen to us cry, and tell us the truth. They stand up for us, they honor us and they love us. They sometimes know us better than we know ourselves.

I know that I am very blessed with several dear friends.

I know women that do not know or understand the friendship thing. They say they have that with a Sister, a Mother, or even with a Spouse.

It is not the same thing.

I am very close to my sister and know that my husband is the best person for me, but as a husband. I would never want to replace his friends, nor would I let him replace them. I am a better Wife, Mother, Sister, Daughter, and person because of my friendships.

GO out there and embrace your friends! When that friend tells you they are so glad you got in contact with them, know that I am too. We all deserve a good girlfriend!

Mary

If you go back a bit, you will run into a post titled Forever Friends. It was a posting about how I explained to my daughters about the forever friends.
The ones that will be with you forever, no matter if you drift in and out of each others lives.
Those are the wonderful loving forever friends.

If you read this post you will remember my childhood friend, Mary.

She is the one with the fabulous laugh.



I Meet Mary in about 2nd or 3rd grade. She has shared Camp Fire Girls, the Neighborhood, Grade School, Middle School and High School memories with me. This photo was at a birthday party and I believe she got me that owl. Those are Jeanette Ramsey's muscles (the tomboy), and Lisa Deer casually looking at the camera (oh am I in the shot?). This was taken June of 1972. When we were little, she would sing and make me listen (make is a strong word, I completely LOVED sitting in her room watching her sing. I was her number one fan). I can't hear Uncle Albert without smiling and thinking of her.

Over the years, we drifted here and there. Catching up at weddings, reunions, and funerals. Then we decided, WE HAD to make better attempts to get together.

And we have. We meet for lunch and now that Mary has joined this generation and has finally gotten Internet, we email fairly regularly. And she checks up on me with my blog.

Recently, I got a lovely card (pictured above) with a verse from Philippians 4:6

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.

She had this verse taped above her computer, and now it is promptly placed above mine. As you all know I am on this computer too much, so, it constantly reminds me just that.

She just knows when to call, email or pray for me. I think her Jan radar goes off.
We are getting together for lunch next week. I can't wait! She is truly one of those wonderful people that make you happy to be around.

So Mary, thank you so much for being a forever friend. I know I talk to much and I promise to let you get a word in next Thursday. I love you Girl!

Forever Friends

Make New Friends,
But keep the Old,
One is Silver,
and the Other is Gold.

This is an old song I learned in Bluebirds. (Yes, while every other girl was a Brownie, then a Girl Scout, I was a Bluebird, then a Camp Fire Girl).

ANYWAY....

I still love this little tune, and still sing it. How true. We all need friends. Keep the old while making the new. Can anyone have too many friends?

I have told you about the Lifers already. I have also mentioned Rich. By now you know that friends are very important to me. I think that I am pretty friendly. I see people as a potential friend before a potential enemy. I see the good before the bad. I am somewhat cautious, but making new friends is wonderful.

The old are slightly more important as the years go by. The friends that have known you through thick and thin. When life is bad as well as good. And they love you just as much.

I was explaining to my daughter about the "real" forever friends. The ones that you can pick up with after years of not seeing each other and carry on a conversation like you just saw them yesterday. The ones that will drop everything to be there for you. I told her that those are the friends to hold close to your heart.

I am very fortunate that I have a handful of wonderful forever friends.

"Mary". I love her to death. She is always in my corner. Her infectious laugh makes me laugh. I have known her since 2nd grade, so that makes more than 40 years of friendship.

"Kimmie". The year we shared in college will bond us forever as dorm sisters. I love that when we do find time to call each other we talk for an hour and still need more time to finish what we were talking about. Kimmie & I have known each other for 19 years.

"Becky". We go back since high school. She was in "Trendz" with me, but a couple of years behind. We dated in the same circles, and I always had a blast with her. We have reconnected so many times over the years. She is truly one of the gutsiest , smartest gals I have ever met. I admire her so much. We met up the other day and it felt like no time had past since we had last. Becky and I share 21 years of friendship.

"Ronnie". Richie's brother. So you know we too go way back. Ronnie dated Becky, and also my sister-in-law. Ronnie & I went off to Vincennes University together, and we looked out for each other and had the most fun. He is also one of Sergio's dearest friends. I love Ron like a brother.
His father and mine were friends when they were in school so I have pretty much known the Seats, my whole life.

"Kim". Although we are not as close as we were years ago, she is another that I love like a sister and pick up where we left off. She is Ronnie & Richie's sister, and we as well have known each other forever. She was always the brave one, and now she is raising three adorable sons. I love hearing how she is and running into her.

"Carolyn". Although Carolyn & I knew each other in high school, she was closer with Sergio & Julie's crowd. We would often run into each other with cookouts and ran into each other over the years, but I really got to know her best working with her at Assist 2 Sell. She is the motherly~sisterly type that will literally give you the shirt off her back. She is the kindest person I have ever met and one of the most generous & funniest. I have shared the joy of watching her through the years as she gained a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law, and two, soon to be three grandchildren.

There are plenty of others. I love my friends and realize how truly blessed I am.

It is said rare is it when a person finds one good friend in life. God smiles down at me, giving me many to love new and old.