Since, by virtue of girlfriends law, I cannot divulge all details with you about our trip. But Julz(Holla!) definitely got all caught up and a big ol earful of the college daze with me. That's for sure.
First, and foremost, let me tell y'all thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers for Flygirl. She's been doing very well. Through all of the chemo and radiation, she's been suffering some severe nausea and dizzy spells. Doctors have suggested steroids to help, but Flygirl didn't want them because she didn't want to bulk up. Roids do weird things, and I can understand that she didn't want anymore weirdness with the chemo, radiation, the brain tumor, and the balding and all. But, about a week before the trip, Flygirl dialed up herself some roids. Go girl. God bless this woman, because she can eat now.
Julz(Holla!), upon the very first meeting of Yallison and Flygirl was in awe. Flygirl was rocking out some nachos and asked, "What's for breakfast tomorrow, y'all want IHOP or Cracker Barrel?" Of which Julz(Holla!) proclaimed her undying love to Flygirl based only on the fact that she too likes to plan the next meal while eating. I'm pretty sure I saw Julz(Holla!) tear up in joy that she'd found her soulmates. Me too, girls. Me too.
FlyGirl had to eat about every 2 hours, of which, we all rallied, supported her, and happily ate with her. I think if you're not on steroids, it's called binging...whatever, we were there to help. And we did.
When asked what we did on our trip, I'm kind of at a loss for words. A lot happened. Some things are sacred. And others, well, you just had to be there. So, my new official answer is: A lot of nothing. It was perfect. These girls I can just sit with. We ate a lot, we each cooked without kids screaming at us, we talked about our feelings, ate some more, then went to sonic, we sat by the pool, we drank, ate some more, more talk about our feelings....Well, here, you see for yourself:
When I was a kid, I didn't get many birthday parties...I think my girls have compensated, everytime we're together, I get surprised with something like this. Maybe it's because I plan the trips...always around my birthday...hmmm...suckas!
Only people who leave Texas and then come back will find this picture-worthy. It was a beautiful familiarity for me to see. This is at the ranch we stayed at. Roddy Tree Ranch...check it out. plug, plug, plug. Yeah, drop my name when you make your reservations.
Fine, we did something tourista- we observed nature. The hill country is absolutely beautiful. The drive was long, and hilly, and perfect, but then, I couldn't take pictures while driving! So, these guys were at our door each morning. You're just going to have to trust me, there's no zoom on the lens. They are about 20 feet from our patio. And they looked up when we came out the door, then just resumed eating as if to say, "Oh, look, crazy ladies. Welcome to the Ranch"
It was fun to see Julz(Holla!) acclamate to the Texas ways. We're not there for 2 hours and she's barefoot, with the hat on, and a beer in hand. "Welcome to Texas, you pass, here's your membership card. Drive thru."
Julz(Holla!) fit in, definitely. But she's about to learn a very good lesson: MyDaph is sneaky. This is just before MyDaph dumps Julz(Holla!). It was just too easy. She never saw it comin....Welcome to my people, Julz.
So, see, we did do something...we went jewelry shopping. James Avery, the mecca, the homeland, the actual headquarters, was just down the street. So, we went out and checked it out. We all agreed on a ring, each got one. We wear it on our middle finger, so that when one of us has to flip someone off, it is now sign, sealed and delivered, with love, from all five of us. I haven't had to flip any one off yet, but I'm REALLY looking forward to it. We each got the same ring, and had a commitment ceremony. This is our reception afterwards...
You can actually take a tour of the place, and see the immigrants working diligently for $2.10 an hour on Mr. Avery's designs...We're watching the video here. To the left, is a window where you can watch the immigrants. To the right are some showcases. One of which was a thank you note from Rick Husband's wife, as he'd taken a few charms with him to remember his family. The note was written the day after the shuttle exploded, or crashed...it was very touching.
We did a lot of this.
And this.
Just to be near these girls is an honor. To call them my friends is a gift. And to have them all together with me, is sacred.
That's how I roll.
I'm glad you had so much fun and have so many memories of your time with "your" girls. It's a good example for all of us....even your daughter!
How exciting that Judy thinks the time with your girls is a good example to Lucy - she's even met all of us and still thinks that! You married good, girl! The amazing thing about being so close with you for TWENTY (seriously that is scary) years is that as a result I not only have you as an incredible friend, but the others as well. We have slowly added to our gang over the years - thanks to you. We get together every year, but this trip I will cherish forever. Thank you for planning - even if you secretly did it around your birthday! I love you and all our YaYa's/Suzie's with all my heart!
I'm so glad you had such a great trip with your girls. You are truly blessed...as are they to have you! I am jealous, however, that you were in the Hill Country, so close to me, and we missed each other. I think I might need to plan a Leslie trip soon. :)