GNO, Girlfriend Get-togethers, Laughter and maybe some Wine!

When visiting Minneapolis recently I had dinner with my friends Amy and Kate and two of Amy's girlfriends. Over soups and wine to thaw our chilly bodies, were conversations, laughter, sharing and caring - the kind that warm your soul and remind me how special female friendship is to me. It was a fun, low-key evening where, I believe, everyone left feeling wrapped in 'girlfriendship.'

The current Girlfriendology Contest is about Girl's Night Out (GNO), Girlfriend Events (birthdays, showers, celebrations) or just Girlfriend Get-togethers. It doesn't have to be a formal event with invitations, special attire or limos. Getting together with girlfriends can be casual or dressy, festive or reflective, lots of friends together or just two girlfriends catching up on life. What matters is that time is spent together, that friendships are grown and we can be ourselves with women who love us for who we truly are.

What is your favorite GNO or girlfriends event? Was it a special birthday or dinner in the home of a girlfriend? Was it just coffee together or a much needed walk-talk? I'd love to share your ideas, stories, amusing tales - from recent events or even times growing up when you spent quality time with your best girlfriends and how those memories make you happy. Share - you'll inspire others. (And, join the contest and win Starbucks gift cards so you can take your girlfriend out for coffee on Girlfriendology!) Have fun girlfriends!

Girlfriend Get-togethers - time with friends

Is your schedule stretched to capacity? Overwhelmed with your To Do list? Exhausted just thinking about what all you have/need to do? Or am I the only one?

Right now I'm stressed. I want to spend time on Girlfriendology but I have multiple jobs right now - not including home responsibilities, taking care of the new pup, etc. I have to set boundaries on my time because it is just such a valuable, limited commodity at this point in my life.

This week was hectic at the job (and I haven't even taken down the holiday decorations yet!) but I knew spending Wednesday night with my girlfriends was a priority, no matter what. My girlfriend group was getting together at Paula's candle-lit home for a salad pitch-in dinner and to catch up on life. Ruth Sara was still in town which was perfect! Judy climbed up the street to make it. Joyce was new and Debbie was back after a hiatus. (Becky and Melody were sick - hope you're better soon! Tina is moving her dad this week. We missed you!)

Six women gathered around the table to share a meal and our lives. Connections were made (like Joyce and Debbie realizing they had a very personal connection at a funeral three years ago) and plans were set (future dinners together, running into each other on an upcoming trip, etc.). The food, a contribution 'salad bar,' was perfect for New Year's diets (even with all the treats Paula tempted us with!).

However the real nourishment was to our female spirits. We laughed, teared up, shared our frustrations, disappointments*, goals, secrets, joys. My stress floated away in the positive energy in that special home. It was a healing evening. A hopeful gathering. A female 'family' who do life together. And I don't know what I'd do without these caring, beautiful girlfriends.

Are you stressed? Dealing with life? Who better to 'do life' with than your girlfriends?! This month's Girlfriendology contest asks for your comments on Girl's Night Out events or just Girlfriend Gatherings. Please share. Your ideas and advice will inspire others. And think how much better life would be with less stress and more time with girlfriends!

* Caroline Cheshire of HealingBaskets.com shared great advice for caring for friends in her recent podcast with Girlfriendology. Listen in for advice on how to help your girlfriends deal with life and be the girlfriend to them you want to be.

Girlfriend Entrepreneurs Club - should you start one?

Tina is a interior/pillow designer. Judy is a techie and writer (with a talent for poems and being funny). Joyce is creating a shop for heirloom gifts for children. Paula and her daughters started a catering business. Helen (who joined us for the first time today) is working on a book and a new source of income. (Becky, "the Kitchen Goddess", and Melody, the Tupperware Manager Maven couldn't join us - but we missed you!) And, you know me, I'm dedicated to building Girlfriendology - a place for 'inspiration, appreciation and celebration of girlfriends.'

We're a diverse group - some are neighbors who've known each other for years, some are new friends and new entrepreneurs. We meet monthly to help each other grow our businesses and see our dreams become reality. And, to assist each other with challenges we struggle with, but also very much to celebrate our successes together.

WE ("Women Entrepreneurs," what WE call ourselves) met today to not only explore our dreams and businesses, but to discuss how our group can best benefits each of us. One part of our discussion this morning was men - should we allow them in the 'club?' It was a tough decision because we don't want to exclude other entrepreneurs who need a group to help them with their businesses. To be honest, I crave the unique strength, energy and support that I receive from women entrepreneurs - things that I very much benefit from and value. Nothing against men, but men and women communicate differently and, to me, it just seems to work best in an environment where WE 'speak the same language.'

Are you an entrepreneur or someone with a dream? Perhaps you should start a girlfriend club to help and hold each other accountable toward reaching your dreams. I'd highly recommend it as much for ideas and support as for the camaraderie and community. Not an entrepreneur? Start a Mommies group or book club, a group of girlfriends to go to dinner or bowling every month (or monthly GNO - 'girls night out'), a knitting night group or scrapbook 'sistas, take classes or experiment on gourmet recipes together. Just do life together. And who better with than your girlfriends?!