Girlfriend Time, the Year in Review, and the Next Step...

The last couple of days have been good for my soul. No, make that GREAT for my soul. All women understand that we, as women, need time with our girlfriends. In refreshes and refills our spirits. It lightens our hearts. It is what it is. Men don't need it. Women do.

On Thursday, my girlfriend Prissy invited our "group" to her home for girlfriend time. Four of the five of us were able to make it. This is my Group Therapy girlfriends. We set fabulous goals of getting together every 3 months and then 9 months passes before we reconvene. It doesn't matter, as long as we are able to get together. So, that's what we did. Our friend, Delia, was there in spirit if not in person. We missed her terribly, but we understand that San Angelo is a bit of a distance. At Prissy's we spent HOURS just talking, snacking, drinking wine and catching up with each other. Jo has begun taking insulin for her diabetes. Jeanne's educational consultation business is keeping her hopping. Prissy is loving retirement and has signed on to be a testing monitor just to keep her foot in the educational door. I am struggling to open my winery. Nothing monumental but we hang on to the details of one another's lives because we are a friendship forged during stressful times when we depended upon one another for survival. We love each other as only girlfriends can do. The evening ended all too soon...Jeanne had to go be with her husband who may be experiencing early syptoms of Alzheimers, Jo had to go meet with her sisters to begin getting rid of her dad's "collections" since he is talking about moving to assisted living, and I needed to make some stops before returning home. Already I can't wait to get together with my girlfriends again.

Today, my sister-in-law and I went to Canton. We got there about 9:15 and left there shortly after 2:00. A full day of strolling and buying. I had gotten several VISA/MC gift cards for Christmas and found ample opportunity to spend them. I got some super bargains. I LOVE bargains. One fantastic find was shoes for $2. Yes, that's $2. They are called Onesole Interchangeable Shoes. I came home and looked them up on the internet and a pair of soles with 2 interchangeable tops sells for $125!!! I got a black pair and a cork pair. They come with plain black snap on tops but I can order online, or purchase at listed retailers, various...DOZENS...of tops to snap on and switch up the look or the outfit it goes with. STOKED!! I bought a pair of "jeans" leggings and a top to go with them. I bought a Scentsy type wall plugin for my bedroom. I have ordered one from my daughter's friend, but I wanted another and this one was cheaper. I bought raspberry chipotle salsa, Duckhead sandals, a gorgeous, poinsettia lace table topper for next Christmas, and I forget what else. A great day of leisurely shopping. On the way home we stopped at Applebee's for lunch (dunch? afterall, it was 3:30) and then went to the grocery store for snacks, beer, and a Starbucks drink.

Sitting at home now I am reflecting on 2010 and how very blessed I have been. Highlights: I get to work with wonderful people at Quest, I got to teach summer school (mucho extra cash), I got to travel to San Antonio to photograph a wedding, my grandsons are happy and healthy, Ronnie and I started "Date Night," and I finally got out of the fracture boot.::sigh of relief:

Lowlights: I am working more that I had planned on, I am somewhat estranged from my dad, and I spent almost the entire year in a fracture boot.

All things considered, I consider myself incredibly blessed.

Considering 2011, I am not going to make any foolish resolutions only to break them by Jan. 2nd. I want to be more fiscally responsible and pay off as much of my debt as possible. I must get my health and weight under control. I want to start walking again...I enjoy that simple process and it invigorates me, and I want to get my winery up and running. These are the things that I will focus some attention on, but I will not beat myself up if I am not able to pull all this off.

To you, my friends, I pray that you will find fulfillment in 2011...whatever form that takes. God bless you and have a very happy and productive 2011!