GOSSIP FROM THE GIRLFRIEND GATHERINGS

Learning from YOU to empower ME !

NaBloPoMo #19 – The Accomplishment I Am Most Proud Of Is………

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NaBloPoMo November 2013Women Having Coffee

I have been blessed to accomplish some wonderful things in my life in which the latest is taking an idea, shaping it into a story and writing my first draft of that story.   However, the accomplishment I am “most” proud of is graduating from college.  I am proud of this feat because it was a dream I almost had to give up.

I had always planned to attend college at UCLA and made sure that I met all of the college entrance requirements.  However, in the summer between my junior and senior year in high school, I made a mistake.   All it took was being “home alone”, a bottle of ill-gotten wine, and the Isley Brothers’ “Hello, It’s Me” on the record player.  I became pregnant at the age of sixteen.   I did not marry and became a single teenage mother three months before high-school graduation….. but I did make it to the prom and marched down the aisle to get my diploma.

So, now I had made a life-altering decision.  All I wanted was to be a good mother and to go on to college.   I turned eighteen 3 months after high school graduation and 1 month later I had a full-time office clerical job.   The fall semester after my son turned two years old (and was potty trained), I started college at UH.   With the help of my parents and my extended family, I parented my son, worked 40 hrs/week, and attended college.    I took a minimum of 12 hours a semester, attended every summer session, and gave up all social activities.  It took me 5 years instead of 4 but I made it through to graduation and acquired the one thing that can never be taken away from me……….an education.

Sometimes I look back on that experience and I am amazed at how I did it.  It was so HARD but I was SO focused.   I think if I had stopped and just thought about the magnitude of what I was doing I probably would have labeled it as “impossible” and gave up.  But I did not stop and I did not give up.

And, this is why it is the accomplishment that I am most proud of.

NaBloPoMo #18 – The Last Thing I Hid Was………

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NaBloPoMo November 2013Women Having Coffee

The last thing I “unknowingly” hid was a treasure I found while on a business trip in Pine Mountain, Georgia.      While residing at the beautiful Lodge and Spa at Callaway Gardens, a Marriott Autograph Collection Resort next to the beautiful Callaway Gardens (http://www.callawaygardens.com), I discovered a very tasteful preserve that I enjoyed every morning.   The tasteful item was Muscadine Preserves and I ate it every morning that I ate breakfast in The Piedmont Restaurant at the resort.

So, when it was time to return to Houston, I decided to buy a 10 oz. jar and bring that delightful taste home   I packed it in my carry-on bag with my laptop and other electronics thinking it was okay because it was not liquid.    I arrived at the airport, checked my large luggage and proceeded to security.    Needless to say, I was pulled out of line and my carry-on was searched because the scan indicated I had an inappropriate item.   When they pulled out my preserves I was really surprised.    It probably was my imagination but I felt the security person was a little suspicious that I knew better but she explained to me that it was not acceptable.    The choice I had was to check my bag or throw away the preserves.  Since I had a laptop in the bag I could not check it so I very reluctantly threw away the preserves.  Later, I spoke to a friend who travels often and she explained to me that the preserves can be used like glue and that is why it is unacceptable.

Now, while writing this post, I searched on the Internet and discovered I can buy the preserves online at http:// http://www.callawaygardens.com/online-shopping – WHOOPEE !!!

NaBloPoMo #17 – The Last Thing I Was Convinced to Buy Was………

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NaBloPoMo November 2013Women Having Coffee

Earlier this month I blogged about my excursion to the annual Houston Ballet Guild Nutcracker Market at the Reliant Center.   Even though I am a native Houstonian, I had never attended the market.   I invited my good friend and writing colleague from Austin to accompany me.     Our plan was to spend the day browsing through all of the national and international vendor booths.

The booths that were jewelry related I skipped because I wanted to focus on Christmas-related items and other unique items.    I was tempted by the holiday decorations especially the turkey platters and candelabras but I was able to skirt by those items.    The food items were very tempting especially the food at the Cherry Republic booth (http://www.cherryrepublic.com).    There were many items made with cherries from such as:

  • Mustard
  • vinaigrette dressing
  • Nut mix
  • Salsa
  • Syrup
  • Coffee
  • Granola
  • Peanut butter
  • Wine

I tasted the salsa and it was fabulous!   However, there were so many people around the booth that I decided to grab a catalog and order some items later.

Finally, we reached a booth that got my full attention.   It was the Stafford Enterprises booth.   They were selling the Casada Massage Device (http://www.casada.com) which is portable and can be placed in any chair for use.   My friend and I decided to test it.   I sat down in the chair and was instantly captivated by the heated relaxing massaging motion on my back and neck.   The salesperson came over and explained everything to us along with the pricing (several hundred dollars).   She informed us that the device can also be used in your car seat as it has an adapter to be powered by the cigarette lighter in the car.    Since I had only come to the market to browse, I decided to give it some more thought.

My friend and I walked around as we discussed the massage device…   She actually has a wonderful full massage chair in her home office and commented that she liked the Casada device more than her home massage chair.   I thought about her chair since I had used it while visiting with her and agreed the portable device was a tad superior.   Also, I thought about how I sit all day in my dual-career life and a back massage at the end of each day would be great.

So, we returned to the booth and I purchased my massage device.   My friend purchased one as a gift for her brother.  The salesperson gave us a discounted price and gave us a giveaway of either a hand massager or a massage pillow.   I chose the pillow so that I can place my feet on it while I am enjoying the back massage.    Overall, I am pleased with my purchase and really appreciated the perks given to us by the salesperson.   I was surprised to find such a device at a Christmas craft market.

NaBloPoMo #16 – In Choosing a Book to Read, a Book Cover Will………

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NaBloPoMo November 2013Women Having Coffee

Now, I know there is an old saying that states, “don’t judge a book by its cover” but book covers are very important to me in making my book choices.   This is especially true for books that I randomly select.   If it is a book from one of my favorite authors or a book that a friend has recommended, then the book cover has less importance and will probably warrant just a glance.   However, that randomly selected book will get a thorough review starting with the book cover.    The book cover is the first impression.

I think my preference for book covers can be traced back to childhood before I started school.   When my older brother started school he would come home and read to me always pointing at the pictures in his book.    I was jealous.   I wanted to go to school and I wanted to read, too.   So, I would get our children’s bible stories book, turn to all of the glossy pictures and make up stories in my mind about what was happening in those pictures.   Now, when I select books to read, I do the same thing with the covers and anticipate discovering if the actual story is similar to the one I imagined.

NaBloPoMo #15 –One of My “Feel Good” Outfits Is…………..

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NaBloPoMo November 2013Women Having Coffee

In terms of what makes me “feel good”, clothes are usually secondary to the events to which I wear them.    I love attending events in Houston’s Theatre District.    We have great ballet, opera, plays and a wonderful symphony in Houston.  Also, it is one of the stops for traveling Broadway shows.    If I attend a matinee or a week night event, I will dress casually.   However, when I am attending on a Saturday night, I “dress up” (as we say in Texas) especially if it is the ballet or opera.

One of my favorite “feel good” outfits for these events starts with a long, straight black skirt.   The accompanying top is black with long sleeves that are sheer and partially designed with black beaded lace.   The beaded lace on the sleeves is from the shoulder to the upper arm and at the wrist cuffs.   Also, there is a beading around the jewel neck line and the top is sheer down to the bodice with the remainder designed with the same beaded lace.  I wear a simple pair of formal black pumps or black strappy sandals depending on the season and carry a small black satin clutch.   The only other accessory is a pair of black, dangly beaded earrings and the only splash of color is on my toes, nails and lips.