Tag: Ladies that Lunch

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Life is Good

I love the Fridays that I get Tess from school and we have a family dinner, this past Friday was no exception. Tess and I have fun until the others get here, then we all have fun together. Have I mentioned my kids are funny, smart and amazing lately? The only one missing was Alex, I missed him when he doesn’t get to come to dinner.

I have had someone tell me that having a meal with us is like being with the Addams family, I’ll take it, the barbs fly fast and furious around here. You have to be quick on your toes if you want to keep up and be part of the conversation.

Saturday was another awesome day, not only was it not raining for the first time in weeks, Elizabeth Anne and I went shopping. It was my Mother’s Day gift from her and her husband, a shopping spree. And spree we did, I got a lot of awesome new clothes that I needed! Losing weight and getting fit is not for the faint of heart when it comes to wardrobe.

Then it was Ladies that Lunch day, another great one in the books, the laughter and fellowship was just incredible. I feel so fortunate to be a part of this group of women, I am so proud to call them not only my friends, but my sisters.

I come home, let Stormie out, and what does she do, being a Husky, you can probably guess, yes, she found a new escape route. One I thought I had blocked really well, however with this rain, the ground is so soft it is easy for her to burrow out.

I truly got my exercise in yesterday, I had to follow her about a mile, in wedges, not chase, because if you give chase it will be 3 miles. Then when I did catch her, I had to carry her part of the way because I didn’t have a leash and she was trying to run with me holding her collar. So here I am, in a skirt, wedges and hair everywhere, mine and hers, carrying this big Husky. I am sure it was a sight to behold, huge shout out to the two gentlemen that stopped and tried to help me. One was a chicken delivery guy and he even brought out a bag that had chicken in it to try and entice her. No luck, she is on to that little trick, as we have taken meat out to try and get her to come.

Hole is once again plugged and it is once again raining horrendously here, I love the rain, let me amend that, I  LOVE rain, however, this is getting to be a bit much for even me.

Oh I almost forgot, the best part of yesterday, when Elizabeth Anne walked into the house, she looked at me and said “you are looking really skinny mom”. Best. Daughter. EVER. She is totally in the will.

Let me tell you who is not in the will, that would be my darling granddaughter Tess, we were at the grocery store checking out and the cashier heard Tess call me Gigi. She said, what, you’re a grandmother! I would never have guessed, you look so young, did I mention she is now my new BFF? Anyway, I thanked her, profusely, then Tess says, you don’t look that young, you look like my Nana, her Nana is 70+. Then Tess just laughed and laughed and I said um I can take that ball and video I am buying you and put it right back. Which made her laugh harder, the cashier thought it was adorable.

I wanted to mow the lawn today, however, I shan’t, in this weather, so laundry and going through my closet and getting rid of clothes that are too big. Life is good.

 

 

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Excited

Well a full weekend was had; I find I need a weekend after the weekend to rest! Friday was spent cleaning and shopping for the Ladies that Lunch event I was hosting at my home.

Saturday morning was up and at ‘em early in the morning, sweeping and mopping, can’t do that the day before with a sheddy dog in the house. Then setting up for the ladies, then the actual event. I do believe it went off without a hitch, except for the person who doesn’t like dogs. I explained Stormie is not a dog, she is a Husky. There is a huge difference.

Then off to Jeffrey’s who had picked up my Bountiful Basket for me, it was all organic this time. I split it with Jeffrey and Alex as there was no way we could eat all of that before it spoiled.

Then Sunday was a visit from BBFF, his son and his new Husky Cody, very exciting, just a few incidents of territorial behavior from Stormie. Otherwise I do believe it was a good beginning of friendship for the two pups.

Then The Walking Dead, this show has me on the edge of my seat every week, I am so tense afterwards. Great show, great writing, acting, directing, the whole shebang is had here. If you are not watching I suggest you catch up on Netflix, well worth the time.

Then Monday was back to work; I have not interacted with said person from previous post yet. They work Tuesday through Saturday, so today will be the first time I will have any interaction. It wouldn’t be that big of a deal, except my disdain is furthered by the fact they made this person a trainer. Partly due to them being so bad on the phone, that is how things are handled. Oh, you’re bad at your job; let’s give you more responsibility, which furthers my frustration. Oh well, this is only 40 hours of my week, and really only 30 with this person, a small amount, I shall not allow it to change me. Did I mention we share a manager now and I have to see and hear this persons voice at our daily meetings? Prayers people!

Exciting weekend ahead, starting with a chocolate cherry facial on Friday, then Tessa, the Irishman has his girls this weekend. Then The Walking Dead, so excited!

Oh did I mention I received my copy of Thor The Dark World last night? A day earlier than the release date, this is what happens when you are a Disney Movie preferred customer. You get perks. My perk, Thor.

This is it, I can feel it, this is the movie that I will assimilate into, I have to choose my outfit carefully.

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Weekend Ponderings

Friday night we had a Ladies that Lunch gathering, only instead of lunch it was evening snack things. I like when we do these things on a Friday night because some women that cannot come on Saturday afternoons get to come to the Friday evening ones.
Of course I had to do a blatant self promotion and remind everyone about Conversations with Shanon J and Angie B. A couple of the women didn’t know about it, so I gave the website to listen to past shows and gave them the station call letters to listen life. In case you missed it, http://www.convosate.com to listen to past shows, and KHVN 970 AM for local listeners in the Dallas/FW area.
So, when everyone was leaving I had the opportunity to speak with one of the ladies I don’t get to see that often. We were catching up and she asked me how I came to have the opportunity to be on the radio. I gave her the brief story of how Shanon and I had been friends for years and she is the one that had enough faith in me to actually let me speak on the radio.
In the course of the conversation I mentioned the one we did on men and women and friendship, she asked me if I thought that men and women could be friends after having had a dating relationship. My answer, is no, after a person has had a romantic relationship with someone, whether it has been physical or not, it was romantic in nature. I do not believe that men and women can have a friendship after that. Let me tell you why, it will always get in the way, it will always be awkward, you can never introduce anyone to them because they will know.
I find this particularly troublesome, because it is easy to fall back into those kinds of relationships and it is inappropriate. No one needs that kind of stress in a relationship, so there you have it, I do not believe that once you have been in a romantic relationship you can go backwards and have a friendship.
That was my Friday night in a nutshell. Saturday was much quieter, laundry and a movie with the Irishman, we saw Gerard Butler, he totally rocks.
Sunday, Dinner/Lunch with Elizabeth Anne, the work on Monday morning, this week I shall have a 3 day work week, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. I get to have Tess Thursday night and Friday, so excited! I don’t know what we will do but it will be an adventure!

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My Theory

I have a theory, a theory on why women seem to be behaving badly on a higher level these days. I formed my theory last night, at the annual Christmas shindig of The Ladies that Lunch. We were talking about how enjoyable it was to get together and talk just the girls. One of the women then said that women don’t have an outlet like they used to, in the days before electricity, internet and television, there used to be sewing circles, quilting bees and other gatherings, where the men raised barns or helped with the crops and the women would gather, talk, share experiences, give advice to the younger ones or comfort a grieving widow, mother or sister. Then came the industrial revolution, people moved to the cities, where there were still the sewing circles, the quilting bees and the general feeling of helpfulness. Then came the suburbs, coffee clutches replaced sewing circles, then came WWII, women went to into the workforce like never before. There was no time for coffee clutches, quilting bees or sewing circles, this is when women began to lose close contact with one another.
When you don’t have the close contact with women friends it is easy to betray them, it is easy to hurt someone faceless. With the internet, text messaging, instant messenger, facebook, twitter and yes myspace, you can behave as badly as you want and no one will find out.
Only that is not the case, someone always finds out and someone always gets hurt. Women need to get back to gathering together. We need the camaraderie, the support of other women, when we lose that we lose a closeness, an accountability, we lose a part of ourselves. I would never dream of purposely hurting another woman, I believe it is because I have close friendships with so many, I meet on a monthly basis with a group of women that give me support, love, acceptance and a place where we all listen to each other and commiserate, celebrate and lift each other up. I wish other women had this, perhaps it is time to bring back the sewing circles, coffee clutches, quilting bees and even the book clubs.

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A Life Well Lived

October is a traditionally hard month, it is the month I lost my first son in, it is the month I lost my dear friend Sandi in. It seems to be a month for mourning, however I know Sandi would not be happy with anyone being sad. Her life was one well lived, she was a warrior, battling a beast for over 20 years; she fought with such calm assurance. We all knew the last time she battled she would be victorious, in a way she was, she went home. I know without a doubt in my mind and heart that God met her at the gates of heaven and said welcome home, we’ve been waiting for you. I know there was much rejoicing and a celebration that such a warrior had come home.
Hers was an honorable death, a life well lived, filled with friends, laughter, love, family and graciousness. I can only hope that my life is lived half as well as hers was. I still miss her, it has been two years and I can still hear her voice at times.
I urge all of you to live a life that when you are gone people will know the kind of person you were. That you were above board, honest, honorable, a joy to be around, that was my friend. I work on it daily, the joy to be around part, This year the Ladies that Lunch will be meeting on the anniversary of Sandi’s passing, I imagine there will be laughter and a few tears. However, when I see Sandi again I hope I will be able to tell her I lived a life that she would be proud of. When I hear her voice it is when I have done something good in my Mary Kay business.
So, on October 20th, please say a healing prayer for our group, for her friends and family left here to remember her.

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Coffee Monday

So today is Monday, I have to admit I stayed up way to late watching TV, but come on, how on earth does anyone expect me to miss the Real Housewives of New Jersey and Watch What Happens Live! I mean seriously, Rosie was on WWHL, no way was I missing that! I love Rosie, she just rocks. Last nights episode of RHONJ did not disappoint, it was filled with laughter, tears and drama. However it wasn’t really Teresa that brought the drama it was Gia, or as Andy say, G to the IA, she really is hitting the tween years hard. My heart goes out to Teresa, she has to do this 4 times, I hope at least one of the girls is even tempered, however being Italian and Jersey, she is in for some rocky times.

Teresa also lied last night to make her brother look bad, saying he had not reached out to her when indeed he did. Once again Joe Guidice proves he is just a horrible human being saying the worst things about Teresa’s family one could say and on camera. On one had you can understand his frustration as his wife tells him everything and of course slants it to make herself look good (as we all do as humans) and he is fed up with hearing all of this. It does make one wonder, Teresa tells her husband everything; however she expects her brother to keep secrets from his wife. Interesting, I would think she would understand that, I hope she is getting the point of all of that. Watching these shows cannot be easy for her, she was always one of my favorites and I still root for her, I want things to work out for her and her adorable little girls.

So, on to me, Saturday was a Ladies that Lunch happening, it was wonderful as usual, one woman came that is a rare attendee, it was so wonderful seeing her, she always adds fun and laughter to any event she joins us for, so happy to see Charlotte. The food was amazing, we went to one of the Chocolate Angel restaurants, their food is just wonderful, I ate too much. Then it was seeing Jeffrey, I always love seeing any of my children, now that they are grown I don’t get to see them every day and I miss them. However I love seeing them independent and self sufficient, although sometimes they still need their mother. As in looking after their animals when they go out of time, then I get to be useful! Love it!

I am loving my schedule, however next time I am thinking of doing the straight 4 x 10’s and having 3 days in a row off. I am thinking towards Christmas, I could get so much done with those three days off, without having to take any vacation time, so there we have it. I will be doing the straight 4 x 10’s next time, having Friday through Sunday off. Well I am going to sign off now and drink my coffee, I need it today, the housewives wore me out!

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Shopping, Lunch and Ladies

Well, tomorrow is the day, I start my new shift, I know you all are tired of hearing about it, but I am way excited. Yesterday was a fun day, I had lunch with my ladies that lunch crew, a good crowd showed up and we had the best time, good food, good company and a ton of laughter. Next I took the Irishman’s girls shopping, they were in desperate need of new shorts and tops. So, I had made a decision recently to support JC Penney in it’s effort to revamp itself. So, off to JC Penney we go, I am so happy I made this decision, 7 tops and 4 pairs of shorts for under $70.00. The girls are now wearing the same size in clothing so I told them the majority of the clothes they have to share but they will still have their own special outfits.
Next it was Target then home, they were very tired as they did not get to bed until after 11 the night before due to their dance recital and up early for Carolion for her Saturday school. By 9pm they were almost falling asleep in the living room, so off to bed for them and me. I was exhausted as well, so a good nights sleep was had by all.
This morning was pancakes, normal color, with red sprinkles, add some coffee (for me) and bacon and it was a pretty darn good morning.
I will let you all know in the coming days how much I love my schedule, I hope you all have a great day and a great start to your weeks!

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Highs and Lows

Today has been a tough day, first I dropped off my youngest son at the airport, he is going to Mexico to live for a while. I cannot discuss the details, he is doing what he feels he has to, I support him in that. I missed him the minute I dropped him off, I had an incredible urge to jump out and throw him in the car and drive back home.
Next was our Ladies that Lunch outing, that was a good day, we were celebrating our one year anniversary of meeting once a month. It was fun, food was good, company was better.
Next up was visiting with Jeffrey and Tessa, always good! Love visiting with my oldest son and my grand-daughter.
Then the not so fun part, I went and picked up Chewie, it was hard going back to the place where I last saw him alive. I miss him, I miss waking up to his smiling visage, I miss him dancing when he needed to go out, I miss his look of disdain as I poured my 8th cup of coffee.
I have decided what I am going to do with his ashes, I have decided that the first snow we get I am going to take him to Elizabeth Anne’s, so he can be in the country in the snow. He loved the snow so much, he and I shared that commonality, we were both creatures of the cold. I think it will be a fitting tribute to him, to be in the snow in a place he spirit can run free.

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Monday Update

Ok folks I have been entrusted with a heady responsibility, I am planning the December Ladies that Lunch outing, and since it is our Christmas gathering, well you can imagine the pressure. My dear friend Wanda had a spill and is not up to planning the event so she entrusted it to me. I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I was that she asked. It will be so much fun, I admit Wanda made it easy, she gave me all the contacts and actually the place, and it looks fabulous! I do hope we have a good turnout, I am very excited about it.
This Monday was really good, cold, wet weather, Ralph Lauren skirt, boots and my black, leather Anne Klein jacket. I am in heaven, I tell you! I can only hope it gets colder.
This week is short for most, as for me I am working Thanksgiving and the day after, I always do this, I will be working 7am to 4pm, those two days. I am thankful I get to work those two days to give my family a good Christmas. I am thankful for the ability to work, I am thankful to live in a nice area of town in a nice apartment, I am thankful for all of the things my job affords me.
I will be getting my tree the weekend after Thanksgiving, I have to get the place ready for a tree, I always get a real one, this year will be no different. This year I get to add two Santa’s that belonged to Sandi to my decorations. I am so happy to have part of her with me this Christmas season.
So on that note my friends I will let you all get back to your lives. Peace out homies!