RERUN 2/13/09

I'm not sure what I expected, especially since SEX is right there in bold letters on the DVD cover of SEX AND THE CITY. No one would ever call me a prude, but for someone who's seen only boy-and-dog and car-chase movies for the past 20 years, I was surprised by how little, if anything, was left to the imagination in this popular film. It was a truly enjoyable flick that featured fashion, fun, and relationships, interwoven with truths, humor, and fantasy.

“But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous.” I don't remember this quote from the movie, so it may have come from one of the TV episodes, but I'm posting it here because of it's pertinence.

Dawn, who endured my cats' dander, and her friend Mary Frances who drove in from Durham, along with Cheryl, Marcy, Kim, Lee, Sandy C., and I supped on soup before we hunkered down for the movie. We took a pause midway so Cheryl could share her chocolate martini kit, a Christmas gift, with us. What's not to like about a chilled martini glass double dipped, first in chocolate syrup, then in cinnamon and filled with a yummy chocolate concoction and topped with whipped cream and a sprinkling of chocolate shavings? Deliciously decadent!

Unbeknownst to Lee, or anyone else, the day before we gathered I finished writing a chapter in my novel, SOLO FLIGHT, that mentions nonpareils and a mouse. So what does Lee bring? Nonpareils! I remained on the outlook for a mouse the rest of the evening.

Due to some miscommunication with Cheryl, I was the only one wearing "outrageous fashion." But it wasn't only the fashion that was outrageous, Sandy introduced us to a local organiztion called SWOOP (Strong Women Organizing Outrageous Projects). SWOOP fills three purposes. 1) To help persons in need: elderly, low-income, disabled, or simply overwhelmed. 2) To better ourselves in body, mind, and spirit, by bettering the lot of others. 3) To build community among women by providing opportunities for networking and fun. Check it out at http://www.swoop4u.org/public and sign-up online if you care to volunteer on the second Saturday of a month a few times a year. In addition to helping persons in need, you may also learn a new skill and make more friends to love the you that you love and maybe even the you that you don't love so much.
-Peggy Wolf

GAL PAL INAUGURAL

January 20, 2009 - - from Peggy Wolf

Some of us gals from the Triangle Area talked for too long about getting together on a regular basis to see chick-flicks and do other fun stuff. I'm taking the initiative and doing something about it right here and now.

How about gathering for movies-in (my home or yours with dinner or simply popcorn and drinks or cookies and cocoa) and movies-out (Raleighwood with a pitcher of beer and a boatload of popcorn, the cheap seats at the Blue Ridge 14, outdoor movies on the lawn of the art museum, or maybe an opening night of a first-run flick)? It's up to you.

With the exception of this month, let’s claim the second Friday of each month as our Gal Pal night, with flexibility of course. While I'd like to keep the focus on chick-flicks, I can also see us networking and making new friends while seeing a play, going to an art gallery opening, visiting the big cats in Pittsboro, taking a cruise, having speakers share their wisdom, doing a beach weekend, having a board game or card game night, hiking Pilot Mountain, climbing the Alps, okay so the sky's the limit, but maybe not that high.

We could adopt a cause or do a benefit (my favorite is Wake Teen Medical Services annual shoe auction and benefit luncheon in September), and just to stir things up a bit, we could have an annual Testosterone Night by bringing husbands, male friends, or blind dates to the SPCA fur ball in the fall.

I have big plans for us, but most of all it's all about us girls just wanting to have fun. If doing something like this interests you and you think you can fit it into your busy schedule from time to time, we'd love to have you join us.

Our inaugural roster is below. This list is open and ongoing so feel free to bring any friend that registers high on the estrogen scale (present or past). I know we won't all be able to participate all the time, but come when you can to what moves you. If you don't feel these gatherings will fit into your life at this time, let me know so I can remove you from our roster, but do know that you'll be missed.

PRESENT GAL PALS: Barbara, Cheryl, Cyndy, Dawn, Howayda, Karla, Kim, Lee, Lois, Louise, Lynn, Marcy, Peggy, Perri, Sandy A, Sandy C, Sharon, Susan, Suzanne

photo by freeparking