Happy National Women's Friendship Day!

Holidays are meant to remind us of things ... of Veteran's who have fought and died for our freedom, for our Nation's Independence, of being thankful for what we have. Today is one of those day. Not Thanksgiving, but a very similar sentiment. Today we pay homage to the wonderful gift of women's friendships.

National Women's Friendship Day was started in 1999 by Kappa Delta Sorority as a way of stopping our busy lives to celebrate our female friendships. (Thanks Kappa Delta!)

My NWFD celebration is later tonight. Current and past members of my girlfriend's group are getting together for dinner. Some will meet for the first time, others will catch up on events since we last were together. All of us will laugh, possibly cry, eat, share and forge friendships that may last for the rest of our lives.

I'm honored to be in this group. Each person has taught me so much and shown me love and understanding, as well as being supportive of my Girlfriendology dreams and my personal life (like missing our sweet dog Stella). So to each of you, I say THANKS.

Thanks JILL for inviting me to the group. For being a friend, for making me smile and for your passion to make life better for your friends and city.

Thanks PAULA M for inviting us into your home. Your generous hospitality is so appreciated and we love feeling at home in your home. (Heck, Melody's planning to move in!)

Thanks BECKY for so often feeding us and for your group leadership. Your passion for your girlfriends (and your pups!) is a wonderful example for all of us.

Thanks MELODY for reminding us why we make time for each other - that girlfriends are worth it. I am impressed with your sincere love for us and always amused by your great sense of humor!

Thanks RUTH SARA for staying with the group even through moves, travel and changes in your life. You're such a blessing to me and the group.

Thanks LYNN for making me feel part of the group right away. Thanks too for your compassion and understanding over Stella. (I'm glad you and Eddy found each other!)

Thanks PAULA G for joining us this year and for your friendship. I'm blessed and impressed with your passion for South Africa and for your family and friends.

Thanks DEBBIE for being so dedicated to your passion (running) and for helping others. I'll always remember your 50 mile run on your 50th b'day - you inspire me!

Thanks JUDY for joining the group. I also appreciate that you've participated in our girlfriends entrepreneurial group. Thanks for your ideas, support and for sharing life with us.

Thanks TINA for your faith and wonderful perspective. I learn so much from you - from relationships to entrepreneurial solutions. You have blessed my life.

Now your turn - go tell your girlfriends why you love and appreciate them! Happy National Women's Friendship Day! Hugs, me

National Women's Friendship Day - Sunday, September 16th

Make plans now for the National Women's Friendship Day - September 16th (Next Sunday!). Started in 1999 by Kappa Delta Sorority to celebrate the great bond of girlfriends, what are YOU going to do to celebrate?! A few ideas:

- Plan a spa day or brunch with girlfriends
- Send cards to all your girlfriends telling them how special their friendship is to you
- Start a book club with girlfriends so you can get together on a regular basis (Visit the Girlfriendology Gift Shop for book and gift ideas!)
- Free calls on weekends? Spend the day calling your long distance and local gal pals
- Buy a bunch of mums, make some cards and then deliver them to your girlfriends
- Send a Women's Friendship Day eCard from Kappa Delta

What ideas do YOU have?! Send your thoughts and plans to ideas@girlfriendology.com. Celebrate Girlfriends!

YEAH! & Happy Birthday!!!

I can't talk about LL Cool J (who is off in Vegas right now - good luck!) without calling out my other great girlfriend who has wonderful news! YEAH! ANGIE IS MOVING BACK! Whoo Hoo! We can't wait to have you back in town!! YEAH!

And, three other girlfriends are celebrating birthdays this coming week ... so HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Sunday - Happy Birthday Dana! We still miss you on the street but love that you and your fun family come back and visit a lot. Let's get together soon!

Monday - Happy Birthday Kate! We miss being up in MN near you and look forward to seeing you in a couple weeks. Have a fun birthday!

Tuesday - Happy Birthday Barb! We miss you guys too. We'll see you soon when we're up visiting. I hope all is well with the family and your girlfriend group, etc.

So, Angie, Dana, Kate & Barb - thanks for being my girlfriends! That alone is reason to celebrate! Consider yourself hugged!!!

Bookless Book Club - no stress girlfriend groups!

Thursday night was our monthly neighborhood women's book club. We don't believe in adding stress to any one's life, so reading the book is always optional. Hanging out with your neighborhood female friends is all that is required. In fact, in the summer we take a month off from books and just exchange magazines. It is a no-stress way to recycle and read new publications. And always a fun night!

As we sat in Judy's beautiful backyard garden, we caught up on life. Anne's new bra - partly to blame for that salsa drip on her shirt! Retired and with a social calendar to make us all dizzy, we heard about Peggy's target shooting at a police training camp. Four fatal shots in a row, we wondered how she got out of there without being recruited. Another Ann was taking a break from her infant to have some quality time with the neighborhood girlfriends. With a little nervousness, we heard about the snake in Judy's backyard the day before - right where we were sitting! Stories and updates kept us laughing all the way back down the street to our homes. It was a perfect night and a great neighborhood tradition.

Do you have a book club or neighborhood group? Do you meet up with other Moms or girlfriends on a regular basis? Please share your ideas and stories in this blog's comments.

And, if you don't have a group of women to get together with on a frequent basis, why don't you start one? It isn't hard and, like our 'bookless' book club, doesn't need to cost anything or add any stress. You don't even have to read a book. It could be a monthly gathering to discuss a new topic or a girls group dinner to try a new restaurant. I even heard about a group of women who get together to have dinner together and donate the money they would have spent going to a restaurant to a good cause - like Katrina homes or South African women. Go ahead. See what you can start!