Girls night out

[gja1000]

Every semester - a couple of women I work with and I go for a "retreat". Sometimes we go out of town - sometimes not. We were scheduled to go to Fort Worth to the art museum to see the Monet exhibit - but my hubby was hospitalized and we had to cancel the trip. We've not been able to find a time to go out of town, so tomorrow we are going on a "funky" shopping tour of Austin.

There are lots of little funky shops in Austin so we are going to hit as many as we feel like and then go out to dinner. We'll exchange our Christmas gifts and have lots of laughs.

It's a great tradition for us and a way to de-stress and have some "girl fun"

How 'bout the rest of you? Any fun traditions?

[Nina]

That sounds fun! I hope you have a great time!

[HALEY]

That does sound like fun Gayle, enjoy

[Tiramisu]

Unfortunately, I don't have any girlfriends to run around with. The daughters and I decided to have a yearly get-away, starting 6 years ago. That year (the first and last year), we went to San Marcos, shopped the outlet malls and went to Schlitterbaun. We had an awesome time. My DIL brought her Mom and she even keeps asking me when we're going on another trip.

Since then, there's been babies on the way or too young, can't get off work, can't find babysitters for the boys, etc. We keep talking about a ski trip, but can't even get them all together for that, even with me paying for everything. Kenneth is in real estate and can't get away for anything. Brandon is bedridden and it's hard to impossible to get care for him.

[Janet]

Gayle...that sounds like such a wonderful time. My best friend isn't in the best of health and lives with her daughter so it's very hard for us to get together, even for a phone call. I miss our times together so much.

Linda (2tiredmom) is way up north and I just don't like driving very far and then Lynne has been terribly busy taking care of her mother.

I really don't have any other 'girl friends.' I wish I did. I would love to be able to go out with some women friends, even just for an evening of fun, shopping and dining out.

[DianaB]

That sounds like a lot of fun, Gayle!!! I bet that you'll have a blast!!! I used to have some girlfriends that got together on our birthdays. We'd go out to eat and to a movie but we don't do that anymore. When I go and visit my aunt, Marva, we go and shop like that, where ever we want to go. It's always fun and she's a lot of fun to be around too!!!

You're going to have to let us know how it goes and what you bought!!!!!

[judy]

That sounds like fun Gayle. I'm glad you have that. I think it's important to have "girl time." Women friends are so important. There really is nothing that takes the place of a good friend.

I left my friends back in NYC, although we still talk on the phone and email each other jokes. I also had a Women's' Center in Brooklyn, where I made amazing friendships. We were all so close. In fact, one of our members passed away and left us money. The "core" women of the Center are going to get together for a few things with that money. We closed down last year - we just had done it for too many years, and there was nobody to step up and take over running it. I miss the Center a lot.

We were the longest lasting "grass roots" women's' center in the country.
35 years! We had support groups, workshops, "girls nights out," flea markets,
a Christmas lunch, a Spring tea, and many other things going on.

I'd love to find a Women's' group up here. I am giving some thought to starting a Women's Circle myself, but I'm not sure yet.

[gja1000]

We had a really great time - we hit all the resale and antique shops up and down a funky little street in Austin. We all bought some things and one of my friends found the perfect Christmas gift for her husband. We had a ball. Then we went to eat at a restaurant that has been in Austin for over 50 years - the food was good and we were the youngest customers in the joint

We had a wonderful evening. We exchanged our Christmas gifts which are minimal, just tokens really - but it was fun. One of my gifts to both of them was a Smores making kit - sounds odd, huh! It even included campfire songs. We have this "thing" that we usually go out of town together at least once during the fall/winter/spring and for some reason it has become tradition to have a campfire or fire place and make smores. Don't know how that got started??? One time, we went to a ranch to stay and we were supposed to have a campfire every evening (for all the guests), but it rained both evenings so no campfire . So, we made our smores over a candle (I kid you NOT) in the room, using forks to hold the marshmallows over the candle flame.

We have great fun together!!!

Judy, your women's group sounds phenomenal. I much prefer the company of women over men (except my hubby, of course). Really, though, I work with almost all women, only a smattering of men and I really prefer it that way.

[Gina]

Gail sounds like you had lots of fun. To answer your question I have a group of girlfriends our daughters went to elementary school together and each year around Christmas we have a holiday tradition of going to NYC seeing a play , walking around Rockerfeller Center and then to dinner. I moved but I still meet them during Christmas , we will get together in two weeks. Not going to see a play but will have an outing in NYC and then to an early dinner.. It is fun our daughters join us to..

I also have my sis in law and her friends we get to go out every now and then to Atlantic City, or a play and dinner. Mostly when the weather gets warmer. You need girl time, it is fun.

Judy I didn't know about the Womens Center, sounds like you made good friends and did wonderful things there. I don't know how this group may sound to you but I went to a Christmas party one year and in the next room, there were a room full of women wearing red hats. Someone told me its called the Red Hat Society.. Here is the link I always wanted to inquire but haven't had the chance. I think there are chapters all over.. Check it out and let me know....




http://www.redhatsociety.com/