So much women happened & it was good.

Sometimes women are difficult to read & sometimes chickflicks & being girly can take so much out of me emotionally that I tend to hide from my sisters.
Now that we all aren't living in a dorm together where a secret knock on the living room wall can either relate a "goodnight" or a "come.over.right.now.you.have.to.see.this.!" moment, it's far easier for me to disappear into the daily demands of living with a man & working a full week, & sadly forget the reason why women have banded together for centuries. Sure, men have their nights at the bar, their morning tee offs & even a weekend devoted to Comics, but it is Women who band together & bond in a way society has created doctorates out of.
This weekend, was one of those moments.

Saturday was spent with an Enrichment seminar through my church.
As my husband suspected, even though the start time was a bright&early 8:30, the chattering over clinks of breakfast plates didn't quiet down until 9:00. Our speaker was a wonderful Southern woman by the name Jane who openned with the fact that her new baby grand-daughter refuses to be lulled to sleep by skinny women & that she knows how to speak English, however she talks Hillbilly. This woman woke us up with laughter & brought us into the lunch hour savoring on her tidbits of the fact that Women really do NEED each other.

At this seminar, women were asked to stand by generations, to stand by likes & dislikes, & to stand to share how they were impacted by a time when they really needed a sister. This showed how we all are different, but still share a desire to connect with each other--it was a fulfilment that only another woman could provide. A sense of sisterhood with a depth of wisdom.

Sunday's sisterhood had me travelling to Portland for a belated birthday celebration.
I carpooled with a dear friend whose conversations are filled with ponderings at men & delightful stories of the happenings since we've been apart. Our 2 1/2 hour long car ride also took us through many types of weather-Sunshine, Rain, Sleet, Snow, Hail--repeating this pattern on the drive home as well!
Once arriving at the location, I was surrounding by crafting materials & crafting ladies--in a normal situation, I would be too self-conscious to be able to relax & discover a craft for myself, however Heather provided a hub for creativity to blossom. All the lovely ladies were initiating their innovations while the store's odds & ends allowed for me to escape into an idea. It was a wonderful afternoon spent with uplifting women & it was a terrific weekend of remembering the importance of sisterhood.

Paperbacks are terrific companions.

To read more & watch tv less is my goal. I mean, we don't even own an tv, so it should be an easy habit to cultivate.

My friend had spent a week posting about books.
I had forgotten how much I love reading. Her blog postings make me ache to get back into the hobby of it.
Netflix, Hulu, & the fact that I get into bed before sunset (8p.m. is pushing it for me) has made it harder for me to dedicate myself to the art of reading.

I used to not be able to stop reading. I would get in trouble at school--all the way through freshman year--because I would sneak a book behind my school books or from under my desk to read. In the car, I'd read until it was dark & then hold the book up, using the headlights from other cars to light up the pages.

Now I turn on a show to get ready to go in the morning, turn on a show at break time at work, turn on a show at home to make dinner & do chores, then I turn on a show to fall asleep to..I have come to see this as an ugly trend in my life, but I do happen to love these shows & enjoy watching them, however I see now that they have replaced books in my life.

My friend shared that her family would read together after dinner & that struck me. Growing up my family sat in front of a tv. We tried sitting at the table, however the tv always found a way to sneak in & show up. Take-out food served on trays, fanned out around the tv is my childhood. It has become my grown-up life as well.

My husband is always surprised at how quickly I can devour a novel.  He has never known the reader in me, & it makes me really sad that I have let that part of myself go. I want to rediscover that bookaholic & let her wreack havoc.

Love Letters-there's an art to it.

Every man to be able to be inspired to write a Love Letter to the love of his life.


In honor of Valentine's Day, I bring to you, Sullivan.

This is a great article that can help all men (and women) profess their love. Don't let the moment escape when you could take a few to write out your love & create a treasured memory that will last for an enternity.

Listen.

Eye Contact & Gumption

In the good ol' days, women & men weren't hussies out in public & the simple act of tossing a glance from the corner of your eye was enough to lock in a man's attention for at least a tasty lunch date & introductory conversational tidbits.

Today, aim to dress with practicality, go about your day with gumption & let your eyes connect with others to communicate your thoughts & emotions. See if it creates a difference in your day's interactions.