GOSSIP FROM THE GIRLFRIEND GATHERINGS

Learning from YOU to empower ME !

The Best Things In Life #2 – Good Conversation

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One of the things I love to do is talk.   Any subject will suffice as a conversation starter for me.   Then that conversation may generate other questions and lead to an entirely different subject.   Also, I can start a conversation with anyone in any place.  I have met some wonderful people in this manner.

Today, I brought 12 fabulous women together in our annual holiday brunch at the Hotel Galvez in Galveston, Texas which is one of our favorite brunch spots.   Some of these women met each other in prior outings and some of them were joining us for the first time.   Everyone was a great fit in the group.   The conversation flowed the entire time and we covered subjects from the endearing nickname of Nelson Mandela to a recipe for bread pudding.    At some points we had one conversation that included the entire group and then at other points there were several mini conversations.   I enjoyed walking around the long table sticking my ears in all of the different conversations.    I really enjoyed watching the newcomers bonding with the regulars as if they were old friends.

We laughed a lot, ate some great food, and drank mimosas which really ” loosened the lips” and added flavor to the conversation.    Also, I am always amazed at what occurs during these conversational moments.   Some experience shared by one person is always a healing moment for someone else.     Through good conversation, a person can open their life and help another.

It was a true “girlfriend gathering”.   (And, yes, we were responsible and had designated drivers.)

To learn more about the beautiful Hotel Galvez in Galveston, Texas read my earlier blog post:

https://gossipfromthegirlfriendgatherings.com/2011/11/01/a-girlfriend-gathering-%E2%80%93-on-the-road-at-the-hotel-galvez/

QUESTIONS:

How do you feel about conversation?

Are you a talker?   Listener?     Equally both?

Have you ever gained insight through a good conversation?

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 #11 – One Bad Habit I Wish I Could Quit Instantly Without Difficulty Is…….

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NaBloPoMo November 2013Women Having Coffee

The one bad habit I wish I could quit instantly without difficulty is eating that movie-going meal at the theatre.    For me, that meal is a small bag of popcorn, a hot dog loaded with mustard/relish and a large coca-cola or root beer.   I know most would say that is a normal combo for the movies and acceptable for the occasional theatre outing but I go to the theatre almost every weekend.   This habit is wrecking my eating management plan and my attempt to transition to better healthier choices is falling short.

Now, there is a history surrounding eating this meal at the movies.   In an earlier post, I mentioned how my mother was an avid movie buff when I was growing up.   Within one mile of my childhood home was a drive-in movie.   During the school year we would go on the weekends and in the summer we would go on Mondays for the $1 a carload special.   My Mom would make us homemade hot dogs, pop our popcorn by the old-fashioned on-the-stove method in butter, and have cans of our favorite soft drinks iced down in a cooler.   It really didn’t matter what was showing at the drive-in because we went every time they changed the movie.    I have fond memories of those times and I think that is associated with my current theatre experiences.  It makes it hard to give up.  Today, my Mom and I still watch movies together.

So, on my quest to substitute and still enjoy my at-the-movies meal, I have tried many variations.   The best healthy substitute was iced herbal raspberry tea and falafel chips but I had to sneak the food inside the movie in my large tote.   Of course, there is no substitute for a hot dog.   However, this only works when I plan to go to the theatre so that I can have the items on hand in my pantry.   There are times like this past weekend when I decided at the spur of the moment to go the theatre to see the new Thor movie and I ended up eating my usual meal.   I felt guilty so I skipped dinner that night.

NaBloPoMo #9 – My Favorite Hour of the Day Is…….

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NaBloPoMo November 2013Women Having Coffee

I really don’t have a favorite hour of the day but I do have a favorite timeframe of the day.      The time period 2 to 5 hours after I wake in the morning is the best timeframe of the day for me.   If I am following my healthy routine, I have more energy and clarity during this period of my day.

The most important step of my healthy routine is to get at least 7 hours of sleep the night before.    I am a person that requires an adequate amount of sleep.   I understand from my mother that as a child she never had to tell me to take a nap because I would just climb in the bed whenever I felt tired.   This is still my process now to listen to my body’s needs.

After waking from a good night’s sleep, I like to do a 30-50 minute cardio exercise workout before breakfast.    This usually includes a combination of working out in my home gym on my treadmill, stationary bike, elliptical and Leslie Sansone’s Walk-at-Home DVDs.  Normally, I break the workout up into three to five 10 minute segments on different exercise equipment because I get really bored doing the entire workout on one machine.   I use a Polar Heart Rate monitor to make sure that I am working out in the fat-burning zone and don’t over-exert myself.  (Also, I want every one of those exercise minutes to count!)  After the workout, I take a hot shower, prepare and eat my breakfast with my favorite flavored decaf coffee.

Now, I have entered the best timeframe of my day.