Today is National Girlfriend Day. I love these women.
I love that Carmen and I are more friends now as she has gotten older.
So very grateful for all of them in my life.
Blessings.
Category: friends
Friends
Happy National Best Friends Day!
“A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself — and especially to feel, or not feel. Whatever you happen to be feeling at any moment is fine with them. That’s what real love amounts to — letting a person be what he really is.” — Jim Morrison
Blessings.
Little Things Mean A Lot
David and I made a quick trip to Birmingham on Friday for a sweet friend that is more family than friend. Shana’s oldest, Jacquelyn, graduated with her Masters yesterday, and we were blessed to be a part of the celebration.
Jacquelyn finished her Masters degree in 5 1/2 years. This was such a honor to be invited to the graduation, to be a part of the celebration. They are family to me. It was just a whirlwind visit, but so worth it.
It has been far too long in between visits. This was a confirmation that we need to visit them more. It seem like a such a little thing going up for an overnight visit, go to the graduation, and then right back home. It meant a lot, not only to us, but to Jacquelyn and Shana. Little things really do mean a lot.
Blessings!
More Bunnies…
Julie and I made Easter Bunnies – or happy’s last night.
Love this…and I get to give them away.
Blessings.
Gifts of Sunshine
Gifts of sunshine.
My kindred spirit sent me a pillow with You Are My Sunshine on it yesterday (Mom’s passing anniversary). This little verse from a sweet song was something my Mom always sang to the kids. Always. On the phone, in person, while doing laundry, always.
I have been more emotional this year than most, and I opened the box and cried. Such a sweet, simple gift, but incredibly thoughtful.
Little things mean so much.
Smile at someone today. You never know just how much they need it.
Blessings!
Paper Pumpkin – Stampin’ Up
I have blogged before about how much I love Stampin’ Up, but I have to tell you, I love crafting with friends even more.
Julie at Craftastic Passion is a dear friend (one of the couples we travel with), and a Stampin’ Up Consultant. She coordinates craft nights, and helps those of us who are craft challenged create really great cards, and sometimes small gifts. 
We got together the other night to craft these yummy box treats for Valentines Day. It was the January Paper Pumpkin.
Loved this idea, and excited about handing them out at work, and with family. But more importantly, spending time with friends is the best!
Blessings!
Seasons and Friendship
Can I sail through the changin’ ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
Friendships are hard. One changes at different times. Grow together, and grow apart.
I love this season of my life. I like change. But I also hurt. I want to be acknowledged. Not to always be the one to acknowledge. Selfish I know. I don’t want to waste my time (as precious as time is) on constant take. I need give too. We all do.
What season are you in? Do you have certain friends for certain things? Do they get jealous when you spend time with other friends? Do they ignore you, snicker when you talk in a group? Too much judgement these days in the world in general. I don’t like to get on social media these days. Too much hate.
“Don’t be too confident when he/she tells you they like you. The real question is …until when?” – unknown.
Blessings!
The Tini Martini Bar
So I talked about our trip to St. Augustine yesterday.
One of the wonderful highlights of the trip was girl time at The Tini Martini Bar while the boys went to the Fort and Pirate Museum.
We all got a different martini. B got Salted Caramel Tini (Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka, creme de cocoa, Godiva white chocolate liqueur and a pinch of salt); J got the Cinnamon Bun Tini (Three Olives Vanilla Vodka, Kahlua, RumChoto); and I got the Dark Chocolate Tini (360 Double Chocolate Vodka, Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, and creme de cocoa).
All were good, but all of us really liked B’s the best. We ended up getting a second round of the Salted Caramel Tini’s.
So much fun, just chatting, people watching, and relaxing. This is a great place to do all of that while enjoying the sailboats, water and drinks.
What is your favorite thing to do with your girlfriends?
Blessings!
Couple Time
David and I enjoy mini trips with two other couples that we travel with really well. None of us has to have our way. We are all very gracious with one another. I really find that is the key. If someone doesn’t feel well, we all understand. If someone really wants to do a side adventure, we all go, or just let them go. Comfortable with one another. Encouraging to one another.
We traveled this past weekend to St. Augustine, Florida. It is a good six hour drive for us. One of the couples lives in Tallahassee, so we “picked” them up on Friday. Each couple takes turns for our destination, chooses the place to stay (3 bedroom, 3 bath), and tries to accommodate the date with everyone’s work schedules. A&J were in charge this time, and we ended up staying at Cinnamon Beach on the Palm Coast South of St. Augustine in this beautiful condo on the beach.
We each plan an evening meal or snacks. I ended up taking Egg Rolls (yes, again), BBQ meatballs, and nut clusters. A&J brought chicken fajita to cook, and breakfast quiches. J&B brought homemade chicken salad that I am still waiting on the recipe. We all take a part. Grateful for what each couple contributes. Help with clean up and trash.
Our evenings are spent just hanging out and enjoying each others company. Saturday and Sunday we spent driving into St. Augustine. The boys enjoyed the history, pizza, jail, Fort, and pirate museum. The girls enjoyed the shopping, Flagger College (Tiffany Stained Glass), the Lions Bridge, city gate, The Tini Martini Bar and people watching. Again, just being able to say “I want to do this” and all of us say “okay” is a huge thing.
I love these peeps. I get to be myself in all times: anxious, panicked, happy, giddy, goofy, gas pains, and just plain happy. It was a good trip. I want to go again tomorrow. But we will wait just a bit for everyone’s budget to recover.
Blessings!
Bible
NaBloPoMo2012 – Day 28
My favorite Bible is a leather bound, NKJV, Women’s Study Bible that I have had since August 22, 2001. It was given to me by precious friends. Inside the front cover they have signed it with their favorite verses.
Several of the verses come from Philippians 4. And they are my two favorite verses.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Phil. 4:4
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13
I have had a hard time finding a new Bible. Mainly this one has sad memories associated with it. My first husband didn’t see the need in purchasing much for anyone but him. My friends knew that I had purchased this Bible for me (in hard cover), and had to return it. So for my birthday they had purchased it and inscribed it with my name.
So every time I see my name I remember that. They purchased something so beautiful for me to study. I still use it daily. It is my favorite with the added features for women.
Carmen and I were shopping on Friday after Thanksgiving, and we went into the Lifeway store. My only reason to go in there was to purchase a gift card, but it never works out that way. I have been wanting to update Carmen’s Bible as well, since hers was a teenage Bible. So after finding several things for purchase, I went over to see if she had found one that she liked. She had, and we purchased it. But in the process of looking at the Bibles, I saw one. A new Women’s Study Bible in the New King James Version (my favorite), and leather bound. I purchased it, and will have it inscribed with my name.
I will treasure my old Bible, but it was time to put the past away and move forward. The new Bible will be wrapped and placed under the tree for me from the kids. I will treasure it.
Blessings,
Jerry Ann
mommajerryanns.com 