GOSSIP FROM THE GIRLFRIEND GATHERINGS

Learning from YOU to empower ME !

Sister-Girlfriend MeetUp 2014 – A Rejuvenating “Blast” in St. Lucia

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122When women come together something amazing is bound to happen.   This was the case at the first Sister-Girlfriend MeetUp at the Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa in beautiful St. Lucia this past week – June 11 thru June 15, 2014.

 

A small group of women joined together with their best friend (sister-girlfriend) and with women they were meeting for the first time.   There were dynamic discussions, laughter, sharing, revelations, tears, and precious moments of rejuvenating solitude as we felt the sun on our faces and the ocean trade winds blowing through our hair.   Even though I had hoped for a larger group, I am pleased with the smaller group that attended because our interactions were more focused and I gained valuable insight for future meetups.   I also gathered some wonderful topics for future blog posts.

 

We shared our meals together and we shared a “meet and chat” after dinner cocktail period.  The resort offered a huge buffet for each meal and three different restaurants for dinner.   The food was great and the Long Island iced teas were fabulous!   Our days were free to do as we individually pleased.  The resort offered numerous recreational activities onsite and we did indulge in those activities – gym, dance class, hiking, etc – as well as just relaxing in those wonderful lounge chairs watching the ocean.   Also, we enjoyed offsite activities as a group, local shopping, a communal mud bath in the sulphur springs at the world’s only drive in volcano – Soufriere Volcano, a walk thru the botanical gardens in the rainforest, zip lining, and a very warm, relaxing shower in the Diamond Waterfalls.   Overall, everyone told me they enjoyed their time in St. Lucia.

 

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The ladies enjoyed the meetup so much that during the stay in St. Lucia I was asked several times about the plans for the next Sister-Girlfriend MeetUp for 2015.    Next year, the Sister-Girlfriend MeetUp will be on the Turks and Caicos Islands in July, 2015.    Details are being worked now and more information will be posted around August 1, 2014.

Here are some photos from our activities:

 

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The Best Things in Life #6 – Texas Bluebonnet Trails

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There is a tradition here in Texas where in the spring we make a pilgrimage on one of the many bluebonnet trails to enjoy the beauty of nature.    For Houstonians, the best route is from Houston to Brenham.    We just find a back road and drive it until we find a field so full of bluebonnets that you can no longer see the grass.    Then we just lie in the midst of them surrounding ourselves with that wonderful color of blue from the flowers and from the sky above.   If you know Texas, then you will definitely understand.

My photographer friend, Veronica Owens, who was one of the Women Making History last month, made her way on the bluebonnet trail this past weekend.   She shot some beautiful photos and shared them which gave me the inspiration for this post.     In looking at her photos, I realize that our harsh weather over recent years has retarded the normal prolific growth of our state flower.    Hopefully, we will see rejuvenation soon.     Enjoy the photos!

 

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Making History – Doing Her Own Thing – Brenda Johnson

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Today, I want you to meet another good friend in my inner circle, Brenda Johnson.  We met through a mutual friend and share a love of theatre as we attend plays together at our favorite place – The Ensemble Theatre.   We also attend Sunday Brunch with a group of other friends but lately it has been difficult to catch up with Brenda because she is SOOOOOOOOOO busy “doing her own thing”!

A few years ago, after retiring from her corporate job, Brenda combined those corporate skills with a love of travel and started her own business.   Now, she is always on a plane, a ship, a tour bus, or any mode of transportation that gets you to a new place.   If she has not already placed her feet on every continent, then she will probably soon mark that off her bucket list.

Here are her words about her journey to Explosive Travels:

Please describe your business.

Explosive Travels (http://www.explosivetravels.com) is a full service travel agency specializing in travel, tour and cruise vacations. We will custom design the vacation you desire at a price you can afford.

What motivated you to “do your own thing” and start your own business?

My daughter was the person who motivated me into starting my own agency after I retired from Southwestern Bell with over 30 years of service.  She felt since I was the one who always put my family and friend’s vacations and trips together this would be a perfect business for me.

Is your business a result of a formal education or self-taught genius?

My business is a combination of both self taught and formal training.

What is the one thing you enjoy about your type of business?

The one thing I enjoy the most about my business is when a client returns from their trip and tell me how I made it their most memorable vacation.  When I can turn someone’s vacation dream into a reality it gives me great pride and pleasure.

What would you say encouraging to other women who may have a business idea but are reluctant to pursue it?

I was reluctant at first to start my own business, but my daughter kept pushing me.  I will tell anyone if you are passionate about something, pursue it.  You will never know if you are a success unless you try.

Brenda is the travel coordinator for the first Sister-Girlfriend Meetup in St. Lucia.  I am looking forward to that retreat to relax and to have a great time with the other attendees.

The Best Things In Life #3 – Taking a Drive on a Pretty Road

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In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we rush around on the highways and byways never taking a moment to notice the surroundings on the roads we travel.  Sometimes taking a leisurely drive or walk on a beautiful road or trail can be relaxing and a wonderful experience.   It can be a local place in your area or a new place in a vacation spot but when you travel these roads/trails/paths with family, friends or that special loved one, the experience becomes memorable.

Here are just 11 of the amazing roads/trails/paths I have traveled in my life that I can quickly recall.   Each one was traveled with family, friends and/or that special loved one and was filled with laughter and joy.

  1. Drove Hwy290 from Houston, Texas to Brenham, Texas in April to see the Bluebonnets and tour the Blue Bell Creamery.
  2. Drove on Seawall Boulevard on Galveston Island in Galveston, Texas
  3. Drove across the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge in a convertible mustang on a sunny day.
  4. Drove the road to Hana in Maui of the Hawaiian Islands
  5. Hiked to the top of the Diamond Head Summit Trail in Oahu of the Hawaiian Islands.
  6. Drove Pacific Coast Hwy 101 from Irvine, California to San Diego California
  7. Traveled on U. S. Route 66 while day tripping from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon
  8. Traveled on the Amalfi Coast in Southern Italy
  9. Traveled on an 1898 Scenic Railway of the World to the summit of the White Pass Mountains in Alaska – the boundary between U.S. and Canada
  10. Cruised through the Panama Canal
  11. Traveled to and walked the trail to the top of Poás Volcano in Costa Rica.

 

Working on this post has brought back wonderful memories and is a reminder about the other destinations on my bucket list to visit and explore.

Questions:

Do you have any memorable roads/trails/paths that you have traveled?    If so, please share the experience.