A Drop in the Toilet...

We have been in Tucson, Arizona since Monday.  Just before leaving our home, I dropped my new smart phone in the toilet.  I had it in my back pocket... I will NEVER make that mistake again...

So I delayed us leaving because I took the phone apart and dried as much as I could with my hair dryer on cool...then I packed it in a bag of rice (to soak up the moisture) and took it in the car with us.  I held it on my lap so the sun would bake it...

Called Verizon...because I have insurance, only to discover my co-pay to replace my phone will be $99!!!  I thought it would be $50 max.  I am so canceling my ins...what a rip.  When I got the cell phone it was less than $99.

I was able to dry out the phone so I can call, get calls, text and get texts...but I don't think my navigation is working or the short cut bar on the home page of my cell phone screen...I will need a new one...

Been going around all week without a cell phone...and I have to say, I have kind of enjoyed it.

We have one more day with our friends, then we leave early Saturday morning for Thousand Oaks, CA.  We should be back home on Monday.

We have been having THE BEST TIME with our friends... my girlfriend and I have been friends for 43 years.  We've met some of their friends and have just been having the most fun!

More later...hugs to all of you...

Being Creative With The Sisterhood of the Ya Ya Traveling Creative Pants...

My sister is coming this weekend... I feel like a little kid at Christmas!  My girlfriends, sister and I used to have our Creative Scrappin' Weekends every three or four months, but lately, we are lucky to have it once a year... Normally, we have six or seven of us.  This weekend, my sister Holly and a girlfriend Bonnie, will drive out and come to my house.  We will have lunch and play on our lap tops, talk, laugh and catch up.  Around 3pm, our other girlfriend, Barbs should be home from work.  We will take her some lunch and continue our Creative Celebration all together the rest of the weekend... They will leave on Monday morning...

We have a Digital Scrap Booking magazine we want to explore and try some of the projects...some mysterious photograph trick Barbs learned from Bonnie, recipes to sample, a possible slumber party on Friday night...(my sister is staying with me and Bonnie is staying with Barbs...but we may have to combine forces in the Creative juices suck us all in...

We ALWAYS have a blast, whatever "trouble" we get ourselves into... I have a vinyl quote I want to hang above my dining room slider leading into the back patio...it says, " The Fondest Memories Are Made When Gathered Around The Table..."  My sister is going to help me hang it..or should I say, "stick it" to the wall.

We may go sight seeing and take photographs and then do something with the photographs...it is a spontaneous combustion of who-knows-what and let's-go-for-it, type of weekend... My sister and I will no doubt do some treasure hunting at a few thrift stores, we are always good luck for one another... She is bringing a stamping she is going to let me borrow.  I want to try some jewelry making...

When we are all together, we are the Sisterhood of the Ya Ya Traveling Creative Pants...

Simple Fun Times...

Last night my husband and I went to our friend's home.  We take turns going to each other's homes, or going out to dinner on two for one coupons.  She made a wonderful turkey, mashed potato, broccoli dinner.  Her husband, who is from Switzerland, made his signature shredded carrot salad with special dressing. Everything was delicious!

Afterward, they introduced us to a card name we had never played called SKIP BO.  The game is played with partners.  We decided on men against women.  It is multi tasking and strategy game because players must pay attention to the five cards in their own hand, their individual pile in front of them, which must be played to the last card in order to win, plus the four ascending or descending piles of cards in the middle of the table, in addition to your partners cards, as well as the two opponents cards.

It was so much fun! 

In between the game, we chatted, laughed, snacked and ate her home made, yummy, banana cake with sour cream frosting for dessert.  What a blessing to have such good friends to enjoy simple fun times and great company.

Now, that's, a Best Friend...

Girls in My Circle

When I was little,
I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,
And then I started to become a woman.
And then I found out
If you allow your heart to open up,
God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man.
Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your parents.
Another will sit beside you in the bleachers
As you delight in your children and their activities.
Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.
One friend will say, 'Let's cry together,'
Another , 'Let's fight together,'
Another , 'Let's walk away together.'

One friend will meet your spiritual need,
Another your shoe fetish,
Another your love for movies,
Another will be with you in your season of confusion,
Another will be your clarifier,
Another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life,
On whatever the occasion,
On whatever the day,
Or wherever you need them to meet you
With their gym shoes on and hair pulled back,
Or to hold you back
From making a complete fool of yourself ..
Those are your best friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman,
But for many, it's wrapped up in several..
One from 7th grade,
One from high school,
Several from the college years,
A couple from old jobs,
On some days your mother,
On some days your neighbor,
On others, your sisters,
And on some days, your daughters.

I could not find out who wrote this, (and hope they don't mind that I personalized a few words) but it sure resonates with me. It is one poem I find myself sharing with girlfriends, or they send it to me in an email.  I am sure most of you have seen it...but maybe, you might enjoy reading it again... Just to take some time to remember all the  special women friends in our lives...

When I think of my friends, I feel so very Blessed.  Friends who have been there with me through triumphs and tragedies. Friends I have known since I was ten. The memories, the shared experiences. Friends who were mentors and a few who always got us into some kind of delicious trouble. The kind you laugh so hard with, you both wet your pants and then laugh even harder!  

When I think of my best friend Pat, I remember when my boyfriend at the time broke up with me over the phone. He told me to go down to his beach house and "clear out my stuff ". She drove me down there and helped me.  I could tell he had another woman, you know, the way the bed was made differently, how things were arranged, different food in the fridge...the telltale signs of another woman claiming your man as her's.

She offered to trash the place with me if that is what I needed to do...she patiently comforted me, when I sat on the bed and sobbed.  She listened as I rehashed and analyzed his "kiss off", "chicken sh-t", break up dialogue. She understood as I cursed, spat on his carpet, dunked his toothbrush in the toilet and wished him to the Devil. She loaded most of my stuff, into her car, herself. She treated me to lunch and then convinced me to lay by the ocean to soak up the sun, until she literally had to help me back to the car...

Then there was the time I had answered a singles ad, from a man who described himself as if he was a car.  The ad showed great wit, but he lived out in the middle of no where.  I wanted her to come with me in case he tried to murder me, I would not die alone.  She even drove.  We arrived to find a tall, mustachioed, haggard  looking man with a small son and daughter.  The way the children latched on to each of our legs at the opening of the door; it was obvious, he needed more than a babysitter...

In between reading the kids stories and playing dolls, she shot me incredulous looks as to her disbelief that I was actually inquiring about him! The house was a disaster, he was clearly overwhelmed and desperate. After our conversation, I knew, he had someone else write the ad for him.

When were able to tear ourselves away, on the pretense of an interview with a man for Pat, we ran to the car like our pants were on fire!  Laughing hysterically to the point of tears.  She fish tailed the car on the gravel road leading out of the woods from his house, as she gasped, "Here's another fine mess you've gotten us into!"

Now, that's, a Best Friend...

My friends are part of who I am.  Friends who would go the extra mile and then some. Behind me 100% for whatever cause I had become involved. Friends who were there for me...no matter what. Friends willing to share whatever they have and valued my dreams and aspirations, as important as their own.

I have met some wonderfully, funny, supportive women on the Blogosphere. Women who bravely and honestly share their life stories, or brighten my day with their humor.  Professional writers, artists and designers who generously share their wealth of experience and knowledge...

I met my first blog friend tonight. I enjoyed a two hour dinner at PF Changs with Linda from http://vegaslindalou.blogspot.com/ .  What a pleasure it was to spend time talking and getting to know more about one another...

I look forward to hopefully meeting more of you talented and fun ladies...

What about you?  What kind of precious memories do you have with your best friends?