Good friends are the rare jewels of life: Difficult to find and impossible to replace

Contributed by Nancy Gladfelter

Time passes
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do .
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.
BUT.........
Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you.
A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach.

When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim,cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end.

Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in and carry you out. Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, andextended family, all bless our life!

The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of theincredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how muchwe would need each other.

Truth in advertising

This ad, no joke, was submitted via our online site for publication. Unfortunately, it was caught and did not run.

Cool Chick endorsements for president

The ink is dry on the Des Moines Register endorsements for president, written by our friend and fellow CC, Carol Hunter. She (they) endorsed Hillary Clinton and John McCain. If you want to read the endorsments you can get to them through this link. So I'm curious of the other CCs agree with Carol's picks (keeping in mind, of course, that she is only one voice on the Register's editorial board - so they aren't really her picks).

Please add comments about your thoughts. I myself - yes, a democrat - am still undecided.

The Golden Compass and Don't Kill Nibbles

OK - My sons, J.P. and Paul Jr., and I read all three books of the "His Dark Materials" trilogy - the first one being The Golden Compass. So naturally we were very excited about seeing the movie when it came out. On opening day I bought three tickets on-line for the 5:05 showing, the first showing after my younger son's bus get's home - usually around 3:45 pm.

Well, I get a call at 3:20ish that Paul Jr could not take the bus home because he was having an "episode" and it wouldn’t be safe. They tell me I have to pick him up. So I grabbed my older son, J.P., who had just barely walked in the door - hopped in the car and drove like a maniac to go pick him up at the school. The reason I grabbed J.P., was so that I could jump on 66 which was at that time HOV. So now I have J.P. mad at me. I leave J.P. in the car and run inside the school. Then I grabbed Paul Jr. (after thoughtfully listening to the teacher’s long and predictable story, blah, blah, blah) but he was still having an "episode.” So I drive like a maniac, again, and get him back home and in his room. To even get him in his room (he was still having an "episode") I literally had take his Guinea Pig, Nibbles, out of his room (cage and all) as a threat that I was going to sell his ass on e-bay! My son finally complies, screaming the whole time “Please don’t kill Nibbles!” Not having easy access to a mirror – I had to wonder what my face looked like to make him think I had murder on my mind.

So, obviously none of us were able to go to the movie on opening night. I lost $30 on the cost of the tickets, because by now, it is too late to try to get a refund.

By the way, ultimately we did see the movie and I am sorry to say I can not recommend it. It is crap. However, I strongly recommend reading the books. They are very dark, very anti-religion, very creative, and very well written.

Nancy got runover by a reindeer

Nancy Gladfelter, new cool chick here in Greenville, has poor Harley trussed up like a reindeer. What a patient pooch! Nancy and her husband, Chuck, who has been through his own cancer journey this year, own a Fast Frame near our house. I like to go over there, hang out and play with Harley (sans antlers).

Cool Chick Carol hits the big time

The item below is an excerpt of Howard Kurtz' media column in The Washington Post today. Yes, THE Washington Post. I am tickled pink just to know you, Carol! You go!

Carol Hunter was impressed with her glimpse behind what she calls "the hard-knocks-sculpted political facade" of Hillary Clinton.

When Clinton, in Iowa, talked about loving long nature walks with her husband, "it was not the answer so much as her body language that reflected her genuineness," Hunter says.

Hunter may be the state's most important undecided voter. She is editorial page editor of the Des Moines Register, where six out of seven members of the editorial board -- including Publisher Laura Hollingsworth -- are women. And in the next couple of weeks, they will decide whether to back Clinton or one of her Democratic rivals in the Jan. 3 caucuses.

Although newspaper endorsements matter little in presidential politics, the Register's nod is a powerful exception. In 2004, its endorsement of John Edwards helped propel him to a strong second-place finish, transforming him into John Kerry's chief challenger.

That was a different editorial board, though, and political insiders are chattering about whether today's predominantly female lineup will give the former first lady an edge.

"It will cause all sorts of second-guessing," Hunter says. "We can't win. If we endorse her, it will be 'Well, of course.' If we don't, there will be all sorts of questions raised about why."

Perhaps we can look for clues, such as Hunter's column on Clinton's professed love for strolling the hilly green areas around her suburban New York home. Hunter, who grew up on a Kansas farm, writes that America needs a president "committed to leading a green-energy revolution," and that the key is "how much he or she talks about conservation." Hunter has complained that most politicians have "quit talking about poverty" and noted approvingly that Edwards calls poverty "the great moral issue of our time," adding that "a presidential election is no time to think small."

Giving up wine

My mother, the world's biggest spammer, sent this one. And I had to admit it was a hoot. One out of 100 has to be a winner!

I was walking down the street when I was accosted by a particularly dirty and shabby-looking homeless woman who asked me for a couple of dollars for dinner.

I took out my wallet, got out ten dollars and asked, "If I give you this money, will you buy wine with it instead of dinner?"

"No, I had to stop drinking years ago", the homeless woman told me.

"Will you use it to go shopping instead of buying food?" I asked.

"No, I don't waste time shopping," the homeless woman said. "I need to spend all my time trying to stay alive."

"Will you spend this on a beauty salon instead of food?" I asked.

"Are you NUTS !" replied the homeless woman. " I haven't had my hair done in 20 years!"

"Well," I said, "I'm not going to give you the money. Instead, I'm going to take you out for dinner with my husband and me tonight."

The homeless Woman was shocked. "Won't your husband be furious with you for doing that? I know I'm dirty, and I probably smell pretty disgusting."

I said, "That's okay. It's important for him to see what a woman looks like after she has given up shopping, hair appointments, and wine."

Let's compare days!

Terri called me about 9 p.m. Thursday night to wish me a happy birthday. She's had a lousy day at work and, I guess by way of thinking she'll cheer herself up, asks me about my day.

So, here goes... Got up at 6:30 (which is VERY early for me!) so I could have Sable (our 7 1/2 year old lab mix) to the veterinary surgeon by 7:30. She's torn the cruciate ligament in her right leg and that required a procedure called a TPLO. She'd been limping badly for the couple of days prior to the surgery and would hardly put any weight on her right leg at all. We sat in the waiting room -- me clutching my American Express card; Sable with her head on my knee. That's Sable today after getting home from the vet with Bogey (who just 10 days ago had emergency surgery to remove a rock from his intestine!) watching over her.

After leaving her there (I admit with a couple of tears in my eyes), it was off to the next stop -- the cancer center for steve's chemotherapy. It was relatively uneventful - that's a good thing - and so far, he's feeling pretty good. I am just crossing my fingers that he tolerates it better this round than the first one.

Then - off to work! ('Nuff said about that).

Because I'd lost several hours of the day, I didn't get home until about 7:15 or so. And was touched to find a fire in the fireplace, fresh flowers on the table, a birthday card and a "bauble" box. It made me feel guilty for being late getting home, but it was a great homecoming. The bauble was a black pearl pendant - very lovely.

So I recounted all this to Terri, who said in hindsight, her day wasn't so bad! When is 2008 coming????

Karen "Technology is My Friend" Sweet

Karen and Terri in Mexico - drinking with two perfect strangers - but what the heck. This is an old picture. That is all I can tell you as I am sworn to secrecy - but - truth is stranger than fiction!!!!

We are so techno!

Hey, Laura! Thanks for setting up this blog. What a faboo, au courant, tres moderne and savoire faire way to stay in touch.

Coming off a Thanksgiving weekend in which I attended three-count-'em-three feasts and never had to make anything more complicated than bread, I can say say I am deeply thankful for having so many friends who are great cooks. Among them, Mr. Jeff Randell, husband of Charter Cool Chick Terri Hovey-Randell. A word to the wise; if you get invited to dinner at Terri and Jeff's, say yes!

Looking forward to updates from all the CCs. Meanwhile, be well, laugh now, worry later.

What have we got to be thankful for

For a lot of us, 2007 has not been a great year.

Marilyn faced the fight of her life and came out on top!, Steve battled cancer, Carol Hahn's mother died, Terri's had a raft of family issues to overcome, Karen's husband is dealing with illness, and that's just what i can think of off the top of my head. And, of course, all of us have had a challenge at work! l I am sure there is more.

But along with that, there seems to be a lot to be thankful for nonetheless. Maybe a greater appreciation of what's really important.

Here's my list; add yours!

-- For every day Steve and I have together.
-- For caring and skilled surgeons, oncologists and nurses who have combined their skills to save his life.
-- For Blue Cross Blue Shield.
-- For close friends and family who have been there for support, chicken soup, lawn mowing and hand holding.
-- That Marilyn is home and working hard to be able to walk on the beach again.
-- That my mother is out of the hospital, home again and going strong at 79!
-- For a comfortable home surrounding us with memories of good times and good friends.
-- For the warmth of being sandwiched between two big dogs curled up around me in the morning.
-- That we have the means to pay for emergency surgery for a dog who eats rocks and orthopedic surgery for dog whose love of the game of b-a-l-l has resulted in a second major injury.
-- That I know Steve and I never walk alone through the tough times and have a chorus of friends who sing and dance in the kitchen with us.

-- Laura

White Sangria

I remember this fondly... especially watching Carol avidly dumping bottles of wine into it! Here's the recipe:

2 (750 ml) bottles inexpensive white wine (nothing too sweet)
2 bananas, peeled, sliced in 2-inch slices
1 orange, rind reserved, cut in segments
6 peaches, peeled, sliced in 6 wedges each
1 red apple, center removed, chopped medium dice
6 plums, sliced in 6 wedges each
2 lemons, reserve rind, juiced1 cup red grapes
2 cups ice Sugar
8 ounces seltzer or lemon-lime soda, optional

Place all fruit in a glass pitcher. Add 2 cups ice, lemon juice, orange and lemon rind, all the white wine and allow to sit in the refrigerator until just before serving. At the last minute, add sugar, to taste and soda, if desired.

Simply Recipes: Gazpacho: "Gazpacho was invented for the summer. Refreshingly cold on hot summer days, this adaptation of the classic Spanish soup deliciously combines the best of summer vegetables. Make sure you only use the freshest, highest quality ingredients for this soup.
6 ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1 purple onion, finely chopped
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, chopped
1 sweet red bell pepper (or green) seeded and chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1-2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons sugar
Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
6 or more drops of Tabasco sauce to taste
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (omit for vegetarian option)
4 cups tomato juice

Combine all ingredients. Blend slightly, to desired consistency. Place in non-metal, non-reactive storage container, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to blend. Serves 8.

I found this recipe online. It was awfully simple and really good. I made it in the food processor and chilled it overnight, I left out the sugar, and the tobasco (because steve was bothered by hot or spicy food).

Girlfriends

Girlfriends
Author unknown

Young and newly married, I relaxed under a pecan tree on a hot Texas summer day, drinking iced tea and getting to know my new sister-in-law, Estelle. Not much older than I, but already the mother of three, Estelle seemed to me experienced and wise.

“Get yourself some girlfriends,” she advised, clinking the ice cubes in her glass. “You are going to need girlfriends. Go places with them; do things with them.”

What a funny piece of advice, I thought. Hadn’t I just gotten married? Hadn’t I just joined the couple-world? I was a married woman, for goodness sake, not a young girl who needed girlfriends. But I listened to this new sister-in-law. I got myself some girlfriends.

As the years tumbled by, one after another, gradually I came to understand that Estelle knew what she was talking about. I remembered that she had said the word “girlfriends” with emphasis.

As I went along, I discovered the subtle difference between friends and girlfriends. You go to work with friends, go to dinner with friends, go to church with friends, belong to clubs with friends. You send friends greeting cards. You need friends in your life; all girlfriends were once only friends. But a girlfriend is different; I offer this praise of girlfriends.

Here is what I know about girlfriends:

• Girlfriends don’t complete.


• Girlfriends bring casseroles and scrub your bathroom when you are sick.


• Girlfriends keep your children, and keep your secrets.


• Girlfriends give advice when you ask for it. Sometimes you take it, sometimes you don’t.


• Girlfriends don’t always tell you that you’re right, but they’re always honest.


• Girlfriends still love you, even when they don’t agree with your choices.


• Girlfriends might send you a birthday card, but they might not. It does not matter in the least.


• Girlfriends laugh with you, and you don’t need canned jokes to start the laughter.


• Girlfriends pull you out of jams.


• Girlfriends don’t keep a calendar that lets them know who hosted the other last.


• Girlfriends will give a party for your son or daughter when they get married or have a baby in whichever order that comes!


• Girlfriends are there for you, in an instant and truly, when the hard times come.


• Girlfriends listen when you lose a job or a husband.


• Girlfriends listen when your children break your heart.


• Girlfriends listen when your parents’ minds and bodies fail.

My girlfriends bless my life. Once we were young, with no idea of the incredible joys or the incredible sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other. I want to tell younger women to take my sister-in-law’s advice. Get yourself some girlfriends. You are going to need them.