GOSSIP FROM THE GIRLFRIEND GATHERINGS

Learning from YOU to empower ME !

The Best Things in Life #5 – Good Love

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Even though there have probably been more than a billion words written on the subject of LOVE, I feel compelled to send my words out into the world about it.   After all, it is Valentine’s Day – heart boxthe day for lovers.   Gifts will be given – candy, flowers, chocolate, jewelry, etc. and romantic dinners will be shared.  The retailers will be thrilled as they count their sales.   But, in my opinion, the best gift for Valentine’s Day cost nothing and should be given often – Good Love.

I believe good love is the aspiration of every couple with the pursuit of it bringing excitement to the relationship.    Good love is specific to each couple and should evolve with their personal growth so that the relationship does not grow stagnant.   Some aspects of good love should always seem elusive because the feeling that you have totally acquired it is the first step in taking it for granted.

And, with LOVE you should never take anything for granted.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

QUESTIONS:

How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?

What do you think about “good love”?

Girlfriend Gathering Movie Review – August: Osage County

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Today, a couple of girlfriends and I went to see the movie, August: Osage County.   When I walked out of that movie all I could think was “OMG! Meryl, Meryl, Meryl!”

I loved all of the characters in this movie and all of the actors/actresses (Julia Roberts, Sam Shepard, Chris Cooper, etc.), did a superb job of portraying them but there has to be another word for Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Violet.

These characters were complex – likable and unlikeable at the same time.   There were some good surprises in their relationships and I felt sympathy for situations that normally would not create that emotion within me.    Early in the movie, I decided to not think too much and just allow the movie to take me to its emotional destination – even if it felt a little uncomfortable.   I am sure many persons in the audience could identify with at least one of the characters.

OK, let’s be honest.  We all know some dysfunction is a part of every family.   Some may deny it existing in their families but there simply isn’t a “normal” family …….just varying degrees of dysfunction.     This movie gave us a horrific view of dysfunction at a time when it usually raises its ugly head – in a family crisis.    How many funerals have you gone to where some family member acts a “plum fool”?    I can name a few.

I love a good character-based story and this one was GREAT!   It is well worth a second viewing.

QUESTION(S):

Do you know a “normal” family?   If so, please share about them.

Girlfriend Gathering Movie Review – The Legend of Hercules

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Today, a couple of girlfriends and I went to see the movie, The Legend of Hercules.   As a reader of Greek Mythology since childhood and a follower of the old Hercules movies with Steve Reeves, I was excited when I heard about this new movie.   I wondered what actor could adequately portray this hero for a new generation.    I was unfamiliar with the actor Kellan Lutz (Hercules) but he was definitely great for my eyes and his physical presence was more than adequate for Hercules.   Also, the actor (Liam McIntyre) that played my hero Spartacus from the STARZ series of the same name was in this movie, too, which was an additional bonus.

Overall, the movie was entertaining with some great (but not too bloody) fight scenes which I really enjoyed.   We saw the 2D version but I am sure the 3D version was really awesome on those fight scenes.   As for the storyline, I would have preferred a deeper one and some more characterization but then the movie duration would be longer.  Perhaps the movie budget did not allow for this level of depth.

If you want a good entertaining action movie with some scantily clothed good-looking men (which I enjoyed!) then this movie is for you.    Grab a bag of popcorn and enjoy!

QUESTIONS:

Do you like these type of movies, i.e., Gladiator, Spartacus, Hercules?   If so, what do you enjoy about them?

The Best Things in Life #4 – Laughing at Yourself

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Yes, I have lived long enough to have many opportunities to laugh at myself.   If I had to choose the one thing that I keep doing that is a source of laughter (after the fact) it is falling down in unusual places.   I know if I had some video of some of those falls I could win several of those prizes on America’s Funniest Video.

My most spectacular fall was in the middle of Main Street in DisneyWorld’s Magic Kingdom on the evening of July 4th 2008 after the wondrous fireworks.    I tripped and fell off the curb.   In a matter of minutes, I was surrounded by Disney officials and medics, who were very alarmed.    I was so embarrassed I was speechless.   My sister, who is a nurse, kept asking me had I hit my head and my eleven year old nephew was dismayed because I had rolled over on the camera.  His main concern was about all of his Disney pictures.     It is still funny and I am laughing about it now as I write this post.

Here are a few more of my spectacular falls:

  • Fell in Jason’s Deli while grabbing a to-go lunch.   When I fell my forehead hit the tile floor and I literally kissed the floor as there was my red lipstick on it.   My co-workers took me to the emergency room because I had a huge knot on my forehead.  This was 2 days before a vacation to Jamaica.   I did continue with my vacation (with the doctor’s blessing) but I had 2 perfect black eyes.   I wore sunshades day and night to cover them while on vacation.
  • Fell at a black tie banquet at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC.    I was walking toward the waving hands of my companion across the ballroom but I forgot there were a couple of steps in front of me.   As I fell, I heard all of the persons around me exclaim in one big “OH!”   I was so embarrassed that I just stayed on the floor for a few minutes.   The head waiter rushed over to me asking if I was okay.   I didn’t answer because I felt cold air on the back of my upper thighs.  I was humiliated.   Then I realized I was in Washington, D.C. and I probably would never see some of these people again.   So, with all the audacity we Texans can muster, I got up, pulled my dress down, and walked across the ballroom to my table.
  • Years later, while visiting the Marine Corps War Memorial in Washington, D.C. on an evening tour, I tripped and fell.   This time I sprained my ankle.   A week later, back at home, I tripped and fell in downtown Houston leaving the Houston Ballet performance.    This time I broke my 2 front teeth.
  • Fell out of a hammock on a beach in Aruba.   I think one of my friends captured this fall in a photo.
  • Fell down an ice-covered staircase on my way to church one Sunday.   I didn’t have any injuries on this fall.  I didn’t even tear my pantyhose!   However, my shoes flew off.   My neighbor came down to help me.  He searched for my shoes and put them back on my feet.  He asked me if I wanted to go back upstairs to my apartment.  I told him I thought it best to go on to church.   It was a bad ice-storm in Houston that day.   I saw on the TV news later that several persons fell and broke ankles, legs, etc.

This list can go on and on as my falls go back to when I was a child/teenager.   Even though I did sustain some injuries on some of them, it did not stop my quest for adventure and my ability to laugh at myself.

QUESTIONS:

Do you laugh at yourself?    If so, can you share some occasions where you have done so?

Happy New Year – 2014!

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Overall, life was good for me in 2013.   I am now sitting here in my home office doing the one thing I truly love – writing – and I feel this is the perfect spot for me as I wait out the last minutes of 2013.

The writing life has brought me a lot of wonderful experiences this past year.  It has also brought new friends / colleagues / followers and I am very THANKFUL for these new relationships.

One of the most important lessons I have learned on my life journey is that TIME is the greatest human asset because it is the one thing we cannot replenish.  So, in this New Year, may I encourage you to fill all of your moments with loving people and wonderful experiences.        I wish all of you and yours Joy, Love, Peace and Success in the upcoming year.