GOSSIP FROM THE GIRLFRIEND GATHERINGS

Learning from YOU to empower ME !

Sister-Girlfriend MeetUp 2015 – Rejuvenating on the Mexican Riviera

By

19358890863_986d684910_zBlue ocean waves.   Soft sandy beaches.  Sunny skies.  Mango Mojitos and Pina Coladas.   Gourmet meals and superb service.   Hot men with sexy “Os” at the end of their names (i.e., Julio, Eduardo, Alejandro, Francisco, Ricardo).   A beautiful resort with colorful manicured gardens, state-of-the art amenities and live entertainment.  Ancient ruins.   These were the ingredients that gave us the ultimate pleasure on the 2nd Sister-Girlfriend MeetUp in Playa del Carmen on the Mexican Riviera.

We were a small group but that did not diminish the rejuvenation, bonding, and laughter that we shared.    There was more interest in the event but there were some ladies that were concerned about traveling to Mexico due to the news media reports that we receive frequently here in the U.S.   However, I can tell you there was not one moment that I ever felt unsafe.    From the moment we arrived in the Cancun airport the service was superb, the service people were attentive, courteous, and helpful.    It remained the same until we departed the Cancun airport after the trip was over to return home.

188

210

 

Our resort was FABULOUS!   I give high kudos to my travel agent (Brenda Johnson of Explosive Travels – http://www.explosivetravels.com) for her recommendation.   This resort far exceeded our expectations.   I was expecting the traditional Mexican hacienda styled resort that I had experienced in Acapulco (Fairmont Acapulco Princess) and Puerto Vallarta (Barcelo La Jolla de Mismaloya) but I was pleasantly surprised by the modern-style and clean lines of the Karisma Azul Fives Resort.   The décor of the common areas and villas were beautiful which really enhanced the comfy feeling of the resort.   We fell in love with the décor of the restroom in the lobby and I took a picture of one decorative item that I plan to have my handyman create for me.    Even though the resort was full to capacity I did not ever feel any common amenity was over-crowded.

213 212 211 19972101512_935f263c9f_z 19972158742_4097ed7573_z 19793110569_410ba38c4e_z 232

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The information we gathered about the resort indicated that the food was gourmet class and we were not disappointed.   Every morsel I put in my mouth was scrumptious and the presentations on my plate were a work of art.

148 147

 

 

 

We had 24 hour room service, a fully-stocked FREE mini-bar in our room, 7 restaurants onsite, and 2 cantinas to grab something quick.   There was also a wonderful coffee house where we could relax on comfy chairs and sofas to read/chat while we sipped coffee or tea.   All of the food venues were included in the vacation package so there was no extra cost.    During my everyday life, I seldom drink alcoholic beverages but when I am on vacation it is a different matter.   On this trip, I discovered Mango Mojitos and the rum in it was smooth yet potent.   My companions reported the same thing about their drinks.

The beach was all that I expected in the Caribbean.   It was a spectacular place for reading and relaxing.    The pool butlers brought us towels, drinks, and snacks as we reclined on our canopied lounger right on the beach.    We met some wonderful people on the beach and they were mostly from Europe and South America.

204 197 195 191 146

 

 

 

 

 

145

 

There was also a great gym with state of the art equipment and exercise classes near the beach.   A couple of us enjoyed an early morning stretching class with an ocean view.    There were also wonderful paths between all of the villas and surrounding the resort which was great for walking and jogging.  One of the sister-girlfriends made a new friend walking on those paths.   Check him out!

19791753218_1aae382be5_z 19972090102_4be1da2e95_z

 

 

 

In addition to enjoying the resort, we felt safe enough to take a 6-hour roundtrip tour to the 7th wonder of the Modern world – Chichen Itza (http://www.chichenitza.com).  We all felt since we were so close it was worth it to experience the tour.  Along the route, we stopped and had lunch at an authentic Mayan village and visited a 200 feet deep Cenote.   For those who have never heard of a cenote (like me) it is an underground water source in the Mayan jungle.   If you saw the 2006 movie Apocalypto (directed by Mel Gibson), you will remember it.   There are thousands of them in the Mayan jungle.   None of us were daring enough to swim in the one we visited but some of the others on the tour did.   Click the following link to see the video of it.

Here are more pictures of the underground cenote.

160 159 19791861820_4c7397773c_z

 

 

 

Touring Chichen Itza was amazing.   We could not climb up the steps because it is no longer allowed.   It seemed some spring breakers spray painted it once with graffiti.   Also, some intoxicated persons fell to their deaths from the top.   So, it is now closed for climbing and exploring.    We had an excellent tour guide who was a wealth of information about the history of the Mayan people and human sacrifices at Chichen Itza.   Even though I am not good on long bus rides, it was worth a little discomfort to experience this historical tour as the ancient Mayans were a brillant people

171 172 173 19357238874_2b592db487_z 19791705308_8f7d1aa088_z 19791786398_efba818f84_z 19972058382_ccf7f68316_z 19972116282_683106ee0e_z

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall, everything about this trip exceeded my expectations.   My companions expressed the same thoughts.   It was a wonderful setting to catch up and rejuvenate with your best friend.  We all agreed that we could easily return to Playa del Carmen and the Mexican Riviera at some point in the future.

Special Thanks to my sister-girlfriend, Laura Garza, for sharing some of her wonderful photos of our trip.

 

Greta Grypp – Report #5

By

SuperChgWomanIf I had to define my eating management actions for the month of May it would be the month of “making the better bad choice” at restaurants.   May was a very social month for me and many of my meals were prepared by others.   Temptation was strong and I did succumb a few times but I did not revert totally back to my old eating habits.   In other words, I did not “blow out” all of my tires.

Once an analogy was told to me by a nutritionist regarding those times when one deviates from their eating plan.    I was told to consider it like having a flat tire.   When we are driving our car and have a flat tire we do not shoot out the other 3 tires.  We fix the one that is flat and get back on the road.    I followed that theory this month while celebrating Sister-Girlfriends Sunday Brunch, Mothers’ Day dinner, network dinner with colleagues, and road-tripping to Austin.

The results were good.   Even though my expectations were to maintain the same weight for the month I was able to lose 3 lbs. more by the end of the month.   My total weight lost as of this post is 22 lbs. and the month of “better bad choices” is over.  Greta has reminded me that it is not totally about the number on the scale but the goal IS to make healthier food choices.    Those choices are limited when the meals are not self-prepared.

So, for June, I have cranked up my kitchen again.   I have pulled out the pots and pans.  I have my grocery list ready for the trip to Whole Foods.    I am on the hunt for some new wholesome recipes.    Next month should be interesting.

 

QUESTION(S):

How do you stay on track while eating out socially?

For the Love of Blue Bell Ice Cream

By

ice-cream-cup_zy1JHJvOLast week, the executives at Blue Bell Creameries made the decision to recall all of their products from all markets and to temporarily stop production in their commitment to doing 100% the right thing in addressing the Listeria contamination issue.   I applaud them for this “fresh start” iniative.   As a Texan, I am very proud of them.   The decision was bold, courageous, and indicative of the true spirit of this 108 year-old company.

Blue Bell Creameries is a true Texas icon.   It is a treasure in Texas culture along with such icons as The Alamo, the Astrodome, and the Hotel Galvez.   Most Texans make a pilgrimage at least once to that little creamery in Brenham, Texas that has given us the best ice cream in the world.   We were proud when Blue Bell expanded their market nationwide so that others could get a taste of Texas.

Personally, Blue Bell has been the center of many loving memories with my family and friends.   When I was growing up in Houston my siblings and I would not ask our Mother if we could have ice cream – we would ask if we could have Blue Bell.    In our home, the name Blue Bell was synonymous to the words ice cream and that was the only brand my Mother purchased.     Homemade Vanilla has graced many a dessert plate accompanied with German Chocolate Cake, Peach Cobbler, Pecan Pie, and Sock-It-To-Me Cake just to name a few.   I remember those hot summer Sunday afternoons dressed in my ruffled cotton dress and cowgirl boots going with my Dad and sister to the nearby ice cream shop to get shakes made with Blue Bell strawberry ice cream.

When the Listeria contamination first occurred, I received several phone calls with one coming from a friend as far away as Cleveland, Ohio to tell me about it.     They felt they had to inform me because it is well-known how much I love Blue Bell Ice Cream.    I have my favorite flavors as well as taste-testing the amazing new creative flavors that Blue Bell introduces seasonally.  So I eat ice cream a lot and I have special white porcelain bowls just for my Blue Bell Ice Cream.

One friend suggested that I may have to consider giving up Blue Bell because of this recent issue.   I told her there would never come a day where I would give up Blue Bell Ice Cream.  I told her I had faith that Blue Bell Creameries would resolve this issue responsibly.   The recent announcement solidified the faith I expressed to my friends.

I look forward to the day that Blue Bell Creameries will start production of all of its products again.   When I hear that announcement, I will surely celebrate with a few colorful and delicious scoops of ice cream in my special white bowls.

 

QUESTION(S):

How do you feel about Blue Bell Ice Cream?

What do you think about the recent actions regarding the Listeria issue?

It’s April Fool’s Day – Time for a Prank

By

happy-fools-day-funky-concept-with-golden-text-on-grey-background_7JbwAGI realized yesterday that it has been a very long time since I played a good April Fool’s prank on someone.    I use to really get into the holiday when I was in my 20’s and 30’s and played a few really good pranks.    The two that still make me chuckle I will share with you now.

The first one was on one of my best girlfriends from high school.   We were still good friends in our 20’s and she had a weakness for good-looking men.  In fact, we all did.   At that time, I worked for the City of Houston-Parks and Recreation Department which was the fruit of my prank idea.   I called my girlfriend up and reminded her of an event we had recently attended together.   I told her that I had cross paths with a young man that was at that event and he was asking a lot of questions about her.    I told her how good looking he was giving him all of the attributes that I knew were attractive to her.   I told her his name was Walter Lyon and he gave me his office number to give to her.  I told her to call it and ask for Mr. Lyon which took lots of convincing to get her to do.    The number I gave her was to the Houston Zoo.   So, when she finally called on April Fool’s Day and asked for Mr. Lyon the attendant told her that he could not come to the phone because he was in his cage.   Needless to say she was furious with me but eventually got a good laugh out of it, too.

The second good prank was on my boyfriend and occurred in the pre-social media days.   I created some bogus letterhead from Playgirl Magazine and sent him a letter.   In the letter, I told him that pictures of him had been submitted for centerfold consideration and I was sorry to inform him that the submission had been rejected.   I knew he would be concerned because he was an attorney and college professor.  I waited to see how long it would be for him to tell me about it.   When he finally told me it was all I could do to give a shocked face and indignation about some other woman having nude pictures of him.  Of course, he denied the existence of nude pictures and worked hard to convince me he was telling the truth.   Finally, I had to tell him it was all a joke.   He was not happy with me for a few days and I had to promise to never do it again.   I think that is when I stopped being a prankster for April Fool’s Day

I still like a good prank but these days everyone is so tense I opt to avoid playing them.

 

QUESTION(S):

Do you like a good prank?

Tell us about a good prank you have played on someone.

Nov. 4th – Get Your Vote On!

By

Believe it or not, one of my girlfriends and I made going to vote a girlfriend gathering.   We both like to vote during the early voting period, so we would decide on a date and take a long lunch break from the office to vote and share lunch together.     Since we are both female and African-American, voting is important to us because we realize it took two heroic movements (Women’s Rights and Civil Rights) to give us that right.

We enjoy seeing all of the people out voting especially during the early voting period because it is an indicator of possible attendance during the general election day.   However, on one of our past voting gatherings we endured an experience that was a test to our patience and really had a negative impact on me.

On this particular day, there was a long line for early voting.   Every voting day was a long line because it was during the 2008 Presidential election and then Senator Barack Obama was the Democratic candidate.    We knew the waiting period would be long so we stood patiently chatting.   We noticed an elderly African-American woman, easily in her late 70’s or early 80’s, standing in the line ahead of us.   My friend was called in with a group before me to vote and left me in the line.   I was standing near the security desk so I started chatting with the young African-American female security guard.   I noticed another African-American woman, easily in her 50’s, standing near the security desk but not in the voting line.

The young security guard commented to me that she would be glad when the general election was over because she had been working extended hours during the early voting period.   Suddenly, the other woman commented that she would be glad when the election was over, too.    She went on to say that she wanted no part of this “mess” and the only reason she was there was because her mother insisted on coming and could not drive.   I realized that the elderly woman we noticed previously was her mother.

Anger rose up in me and I was speechless – which is unusual for me!    I know I gave that woman a look of disgust before I turned to the young security guard to reply.   I told her just to have a little more patience with the voters because so many people had struggled, suffered and died for us just to have the right to be there.   I told her to think of the journey of her ancestors and with that comment I turned to give that ignorant woman one last look of contempt before I stepped forward in the line.

It is in my nature to reason with those who may suffer from a lack of knowledge but there was nothing to redeem with this woman.   Her elderly mother was determined that she was going to cast her vote for the soon-to-be first African-American President.  She had the tenacity to badger her ignorant and unwilling daughter to bring her to vote.   Yet, the daughter stood 3 feet from the voting line and refused to vote.    I often wonder if I could have said something to encourage her to get in that voting line.

I know there are many of our citizens in an apathetic state about our government and choose not to vote.   It may not be you but I know that most of us know at least one person in this state.   I want to challenge you to encourage them to vote.   Remind them of the birth and history of our country.  Remind them of the struggles of some citizens just to attain the right to vote.   Let us strive to replace apathy with civic duty in our communities.

I hope all that read this post are active voters.   If not, please reconsider.

Question(s):

What do you feel about the voting process?

How do you feel about  your right to vote?