Lessons from a Girlfriend - Podcast with CAROL DUVALL, the 'queen of crafts'!

Just her voice and laughter makes me miss her. And, from reading several of the message boards on HGTV, DIY and several blogs, a lot of you miss her too.

If you're at all crafty or have kids who enjoy making things, you've heard her voice and laughter. And, you've no doubt been inspired by this amazing woman. CAROL DUVALL has been on television for 57 years (and her re-runs will hopefully continue for many years!). In our recent podcast interview Carol shared how she got started and how her career proceeded to find her as THE craft show on television, "The Carol Duvall Show."

I had the honor of being on her show a dozen times (and taping with her on the Shop At Home network) so I am especially fond of her voice and laughter - it not only reminds me of her show but also of some of the best memories of my life, taping this show with wonderful, welcoming crew and guests.

With 57 years of experiences, you would expect to learn a few things from this smart, fun, kind and creative woman. Here's a few LESSONS FROM A GIRLFRIEND, from our conversation with Carol Duvall:

* BE NICE - Carol is genuinely a nice person. She always made her guests feel welcomed and comfortable even when we were newbies and might mess up and have to retape. In the podcast, she shared how her father told her to always be nice to everyone you work with - and she did. Listen to her tell how she got her first network gig, on "The Home Show."

* SURROUND YOURSELF WITH GIRLFRIENDS - Kelly, Cherryl, Cam, Linda ... and so many other great women were on Carol's production crew. Each of them worked hard and were dedicated to their girlfriend, Carol. I love how Carol enjoyed these women as much as they loved working with her. She still gets together with her friends from the show like Donna Kato, Mary O'Neil and Karen Thomas. She also wrote her latest book, Paper Crafting with Carol Duvall, with her former producer and dear friend, Cherryl Greene. She gets the need for and blessing of girlfriends!

* HAVE FUN ALONG THE WAY - As Carol shares in the podcast, she would tape multiple shows in one day. This involved a lot of preparation and planning by her staff. At the end of often very long days, there often was time for fun. And who better to have fun with than girlfriends?! Carol and her crew and guests would sometimes go to dinner after a full day of taping. I was with her and several from the crew one night in Nashville when we were taping at Shop At Home. You know the beautiful women who host shopping network shows? They were with us (including Kim from Oprah's recent "Big Give" show!) - all of them could be covergirl models. But it wasn't the beautiful blonds that drew the attention of one man at the bar. He sent a drink over to Carol. He didn't know her from TV at all. He just thought she was beautiful and special. And she will forever be.

Carol, thank you so much for taking time to talk with me on the Girlfriendology podcast but most of all, my personal and heart-felt thanks for the treasured memories I have of being on your show and working with you and your great crew. Thanks for the creative inspiration that you've been for millions of us who find so much happiness, stress release and fulfillment from our crafty creations that we learned from you and your show. Thanks for your book, for your perseverance in the wild world of television and, most of all, thank you for your laughter. What a wonderful legacy you've lived - 57 years on television, countless craft segments and projects, and a world of creative inspiration. We're all so blessed to have you as our creative girlfriend!

COMMENTS FROM A FAN:

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TIP TUESDAY #22 - Girlfriends: what's your favorite internet contest?

Lately Girlfriendology has been getting some great attention. Publishers and manufacturers are sending books, bags, jewelry, etc. to give away as prizes. In May, we have over 40 prizes to give away in our monthly Girlfriendology Contest. (And, all you have to do is send us a short girlfriend story - this month based on a birthday event/gift between girlfriends.) You can see all the prizes here - so send in your stories to contest@girlfriendology.com! (And, your stories will inspire others when shared on our podcast!)

As girlfriends often offer, I'd love your advice on our contest. So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

What's your favorite internet contest? Do you enter online contests? Why or why not?(And, what would inspire you to share a girlfriend story?)

What inspired this TIP TUESDAY question was a popular, fun review and contest site. Shannan is a working mom who blogs about her life as happily married, mother of two boys (hence her 'testosterone jungle' world!). Her one blog, MommyBits, shares updates and lessons on being a mom. Her other blog, MommyBitsReviews, is a review/contest blog by Shannan and her girlfriend, Kathi. In addition to advice you can trust (come on - if you can't trust your girlfriends, who can you trust?!), they also have regular contests (like this one for Pizza Hut!).

Check out MommyBitsReviews for contests/reviews on everything from pasta to software, juice to make-up. Then stop back at Girlfriendology for our May Girlfriendology Contest. We have fab books by wonderful women authors ready for prizes. Be a girlfriend and share your girlfriend story!

Hangin' with best-selling girlfriend author KRIS RADISH

I had the honor of interviewing best-selling author KRIS RADISH tonight (see blog below for her great books!). She's in Cincinnati (at Joseph-Beth Booksellers) on her book tour for "Searching for Paradise in Parker PA" and took time out of her wildly busy day to talk with me about touring, her new book and the amazing women she's met on the book tour. Sign up for her newsletter to find out more about her upcoming Radish Retreat, etc. What a great girlfriend she is! Thanks Kris!!!

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p.s. The interview video will be posted hopefully by this weekend. Also, listen to her previous podcast and send in questions for our next conversation. We'll interview Kris on a future podcast when she's back home after the tour.

TIP TUESDAY #15 - Winter care advice for Girlfriends

BRRR! It is cold here in the Midwest and Spring can't get here soon enough! Long nights, short days, low temperatures and potential for dangerous driving are great reasons to hibernate at home with a new puppy, some good books (Eat Pray Love and The Girl's Guide to Building a Million Dollar Business) and a DVR with American Idol, Survivor and, of course, Oprah.

With all this indoor time, it seems to be perfect for pampering ourselves - right?! And, believing that we get the best advice from our girlfriends, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

How do you pamper yourself in the Winter? Share your favorite skin care products or routines that make you feel good even when it is freezing outside!

Generally I like the start the discussion but there's a reason I ask - I don't have any good advice in this area and need yours! My skin is snake-like, my lips are pealing and my nails are cracking. Not a pretty picture I know, but a true one and one that needs your input! Please share your Winter beauty and skin care tips with your girlfriends!

New Girlfriendology Podcast - Girlfriend's Travel Expert BETH WHITMAN

I love to travel. I mean it. I really LOVE to travel. However, I admittedly am hesitant to travel on my own which stops me from experiencing places that I dream about visiting. And, I think we women often miss out on travel adventures for the same reason - until now!

Meet travel addict BETH WHITMAN. Beth has traveled for over 20 years to countless countries and cultures. She's taught classes on solo travel for women, has written a book - WANDERLUST AND LIPSTICK: The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo and has an active website and blog with a world of traveling tips.

Beth talked with Girlfriendology on our weekly podcast about her travel lifestyle, destinations and adventures and her advice for being a woman and traveling solo. Listen in for great travel tips and wonderful worldly wisdom. Thanks Beth for sharing and inspiring! Now let's get packing and go travel!

Back to the 'real world' - but with my girlfriends!

Making it back from Paris in less time than a full day at work is pretty amazing. Actually, it is 'time travel' that invigorates me and gives me time to pause and think about life, places, adventures, God, people, the husband and puppy that await me, etc. The time difference plays tricks with me and my brain bounced around from ideas and dreams, to worries and fears. All in all, international travel is fascinating and surreal - and I love it.

Fortunately for me, I return home to a country of friends, a city of neighbors and a home with a cute, but bigger, puppy. Phone calls and emails check in on my safe travels and international adventures. Lunches are planned with girlfriends (Lisa and Becky - see you next week) to catch up on all the little details that make up our lives. Life is good. Being home is great.

The real world also brought back a sad reality of a friend with a very ill infant. I had prayed for Daniel while in the Atlantic sky and return to learn that there are more severe diagnoses and potential challenges ahead. I wish there was 'time travel' for my girlfriend and her husband. I wish they could travel to a place where Daniel was well and they are able to laugh together as a family. I'd transport them to a place where they're happy not sad, rested and relaxed not stressed and where answers and solutions would reveal themselves. If only I really had the power of time travel.

But back in the 'real world' with a real time difference and still a bit of jet lag, I'm blessed to have friends, health, a sweet puppy, a warm house and a good life. Thanks friends for caring about me and my travels. Thanks girlfriends for the gift of your friendship and for all the happy memories of times together. And, if you're the 'praying kind,' please say a special prayer for Daniel and his parents. Pray that time will be a friend and that they will share great moments together.


P.S. One of my Christmas gifts from a very dear, thoughtful friend (and a wonderful gift buyer!) was from my friend Terri who gave me "Eat Pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. It was the perfect book to read while traveling and while pondering big life questions. For me, it was a very spiritual, uplifting book that made me look at people differently. Like on the Paris train with the gypsy accordion players, I noticed people's eyes and tried to see the beauty in every person. During my many sleepless nights I prayed for Daniel and my friends and to learn the lessons that I need. Thanks Terri! It was great to have something from you with me in Germany and France. It really made my trip much more meaningful and enjoyable!

TIP TUESDAY #7 - Favorite gift you received from a girlfriend this holiday

First, forgive me. This is TIP TUESDAY - on a Thursday! That's what holidays and a new puppy will do to a girl! (The pup is great - I just want to spend all my time with him while he's still a pup!)

I just read some 'blog marketing' articles and one mentioned that your blog needs to 'provide a solution.' Well, if there is one thing girlfriends do for each other is provide solutions - we help each other through all kinds of problems and situations with creative ideas and recommendations. So, we're right on track with TIP TUESDAY (especially when we all share comments!).

Girlfriends ARE gifts, so we'd like to hear from you for this week's TIP TUESDAY question:

What is your favorite gift you received from a girlfriend this holiday?

I love hearing others' comments so that I can improve my gift giving skills - so
please add a comment - we want to hear from you!

I'll start ... My creative friend Jill gave me a meaningful book for creative women (so I know I'll love it!). Terri, my always thoughtful friend, gave me some "olives" (that are really chocolate covered almonds, since she knows I don't like olives but I do like chocolate and almonds!) as well as Eat Pray Love, another book I've heard about and need to read. My friend Tina gave me a beautiful pair of earrings to replace the ones I bought previously that I lost one of - how sweet was that! (Other girlfriends gave great gifts too - THANKS to all of you - especially for the GIFT of your friendship!)

What do all these gifts have in common? They were specifically selected for ME! Did your girlfriends do a great job of finding gifts that were perfect for YOU? Share your COMMENTS and help us all be better girlfriend gift givers!

TIP TUESDAY #4 - Share your shopping tips with girlfriends!

My friend Amy recently interviewed for a radio station's 'secret shopper' position. In the interview, they asked, "What is your shopping strategy?" That got me thinking that maybe I've shopped too many hours without a plan?! Help!

This week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

"What is your shopping strategy for the holidays? What do you recommend for getting all the right presents in the limited time that you have?"

I'd like to recommend one way - shopping online. I know they say there is little time left but I'm confident Amazon and other online stores will get me my packages in time for giving. I need to make a list and plan some time to shop, wrap and give.

The wonderful gift of girlfriends is that we learn so much from each other. Please share your shopping strategy/tips - tis the season to need help! Thanks girlfriends! Happy Shopping!!

p.s. Just a shopping idea - if your girlfriend enjoys traveling, check out any books by MARYBETH BOND, the #1 women's travel expert. She recently talked with Girlfriendology on our podcast and has tons of travel tips, perfect for women on their own or traveling with their girlfriends!

Not a dating site ... but open to celebrating female friendships!

Recently a few guys have stopped by Girlfriendology. Everyone is welcome, although it primarily is a place for "inspiration, appreciation and celebration of girlfriends." My guess is that they (a) do appreciate the friendships they have with women (one is trying to get back with his wife, so perhaps he found the site helpful in showing her appreciation and being her best friend?), (b) they long to find strong, caring friendships like women often have or (c) are confused and looking for a girlfriend! (Sorry guys! Not here!)

In Kris Radish's podcast last week she mentioned that, although her booksare centered around women finding their strength and experiencing adventures with their female friends, she too is getting a male following.

Keeping with our guy theme, my husband gets this girlfriend thing. He sees how much my female friends bless, support, inspire me. He understands why I am pursuing Girlfriendology with a passion for inspiring women all over the world to build, value and celebrate their female friends. (I credit his grasp of the wonderful world of female friendship to being raised by a mom and three sisters!) He even joked that maybe he would start "Boyfriendology" - right!

Shelley Taylor's book, The Tending Instinct, discusses how children look to women for tending, men look to women for tending and women look to women for tending. (It is a great book if you're interesting in learning more!) Actually, it is part of our gender DNA to develop friendships with women - no matter if we're female or male.

So, men - thanks for joining us at Girlfriendology. Feel free to visit and comment (or buy gifts for your female friends, listen to podcasts, etc.). Everyone is welcome here at Girlfriendology.

All that said ... women, girls, wives, daughters, sisters, best friends, BFFs, girlfriends - you're the inspiration for Girlfriendology and for that I thank you! Today's a great day to make a friend, meet a friend, call a friend, be a friend. Thanks girlfriends!

P.S. Just a girl-friendly reminder ...It is almost half way through October and the first Girlfriendology Contest is bringing in some great stories on girlfriends. Don't miss out! Share a story about your best friend and possibly win coffee at Starbucks with her on Girlfriendology. Not only do you get time together with her, but we'll spotlight the wonderful gift of her friendship on the blog to recognize her. Join in girlfriend!

Podcast of interview with best-selling author KRIS RADISH

October 5, 2007: Cincinnati, OH Kris Radish, author of best-selling books such as THE ELEGANT GATHERING OF THE WHITE SNOWS, DANCING NAKED AT THE EDGE OF DAWN, ANNIE FREEMAN'S FABULOUS TRAVELING FUNERAL and THE SUNDAY LIST OF DREAMS talked with Girlfriendology on her books, life and, most of all, her thoughts on girlfriends. AND, Kris shared a FIRST with Girlfriendology - an introduction to the women (and men) we'll meet in her upcoming book SEARCHING FOR PARADISE IN PARKER, PA.

Join us as Kris answers questions submitted by Girlfriendology newsletter subscribers. Thanks Kris! Thanks girlfriends!

PODCAST: Girlfriendology interviews Author KRIS RADISH

Interviewing KRIS RADISH - Today!

Later today I will have the honor of speaking with Kris Radish, author of great girlfriend books, like her first girlfriend book - The Elegant Gathering of White Snows, to her NEWEST book - The Sunday List of Dreams and to the books in between - check them out!

I'm excited to talk with her and know it will be an energetic, fun and inspiring conversation. I'm recording it for a podcast which will be available to newsletter subscribers first - so SIGN UP!

And, if you have any questions for Kris, send them to info@girlfriendology.com.

Thanks girlfriends!

Wanting to spend time with girlfriends you've never met ... but yet you have.

At our neighborhood women's book club in August, I recommended the book for September. Knowing that September 16th was National Women's Friendship Day, I selected a book that I heard was a great read and all about female friendships. Perfect! My friends agreed and we decided to read "The Elegant Gathering of White Snows," by Kris Radish.

Well, if you've read the blog, you know we lost our sweet dog Stella recently (actually four weeks ago today) so I missed book club since I was lost in a fog of sadness. I couldn't even bring myself to finish the book.

I took it with me to NC for Labor Day and soon fell into it like an long visit with old friends. These women are like girlfriends I've never met, but strangely I know. The story tells of eight women who leave life and just start walking. Along the way they grow, share and change their, and others', lives. It is beautiful! Actually, I have about 20 pages left and I'm stalling to make it last longer!

My passion to promoting female friendships and to growing the message of Girlfriendology prompted me to take action. Why not? I emailed author Kris Radish and asked her if I could interview her for Girlfriendology. It doesn't hurt to ask, right?

I was shocked and thrilled today to hear back from her. YES! She is willing to grant me an interview. I have so many questions on her friendships, background, passions, beliefs. I bet, if you've been fortunate enough to read one of her books, you have questions too.

So, what are YOUR questions for best-selling author Kris Radish? Email me at ideas@girlfriendology.com and I'll try to ask her for you. And, sign up for our newsletter for the full interview!

Thanks in advance Kris! I can't wait to chat with you and pretend that you're one of my own, personal girlfriends! Aren't girlfriends great?!

More ideas for National Women's Friendship Day (Your Girlfriends are worth it - right?!)

Right!!

First - a Weekend Update
I've said it before, and I'll say it again - I'm blessed with great girlfriends! This past weekend I met with my girlfriend's entrepreneurial group where we shared our business updates and dreams. (Thanks Judy & Tina! We missed you Melody, Paula, Joyce and Becky!) Then I spent time with Cath, celebrating her birthday and just catching up. On the way home I stopped at Dana's house for wine and conversation. Chatted with LL Cool J (aka: Lisa), Beth Anne and Jill this week about work 'stuff. Lots of fun girlfriends with whom to share life!

My original plan was to host a brunch for my girlfriends next Sunday in honor of National Women's Friendship Day. Due to losing our sweet dog, which kind of put me in a fog for a couple weeks, I had to go to plan B. After running into several women who are/were in my girlfriend group, I orchestrated a dinner for Sunday night with them. We'll catch up, laugh, possibly cry and just be the kind of friends who love to spend time together.

Here are other ideas for National Women's Friendship Day, just in case you're interested:

* Visit a nursing home and talk with women about their girlfriends growing up. I'm sure they'd love to share and have great stories!
* Bake some cookies and deliver them to your girlfriends. Add a note and the recipe. They'll love it!
* Curl up with a good book on girlfriends.
* Make a Girlfriend Gratitude Journal (or use a normal journal). Make a habit of each day acknowledging the role your girlfriends play in your life.
* Hang out with a bunch of young girls and tell them your stories. Make sure they hear the message that having female friends is one of the great things in life.

Then, let Girlfriendology know what you did to celebrate! Thanks Girlfriends!!!