Shifting Gears   Baby Boomer…Member Life 2.0…Wife, Mother, Grammie…Bicyclist…GoldWinger…Mensan…Girl Scout…Reader…Knitter…Rotarian

In this month of giving thanks, I’m thankful for my friends Robin and Vickie.  We three are the Women of Substance – a self-appointed committee designed to critique the rest of the world – or at least those we know – and report to each other on a regular basis.  And of course, all this work is fueled by good food every month.

Tonight we continued our Year of Italian with dinner at DiGiacinto’s where my buddies treated me to a birthday dinner and showered me with cute cards, goodies and the best gift of all – their friendship.  Here are the topics of the evening that can be publicly shared:

• Vickie feels it is my personal responsibility to stimulate the economy – which includes buying all new furniture for my refurbed living room and dining room.
• Robin lost 18 pounds on Alli in 5 months.  She looked like a dominatrix tonight in her skinny jeans and high black leather boots.  Vickie is thinking of starting Alli in January.
• Robin has a little voice inside her head that tells her she needs to lose more weight and go down one more size.
• Vickie shared some very exciting news – actually it was no surprise to Robin and me – but we are sworn to secrecy for now.
• I recently lectured for a couple of MSU classes about community engagement.  One question I got asked how I got involved in local activities since I didn’t grow up here.  When I mentioned volunteering through my college sorority, one girl wanted to know what sorority I was in.  I deemed that the lamest question I received.
• Last evening Vickie attended a meeting regarding the proposed east/west arterial that will go from Campbell to Evans Road and run behind her neighborhood.  There was lots of loud opposition but for now, she is taking a “wait and see” attitude.
• Hannah wants to get layers in her hair and her current hairdresser likes her hair the way it is and won’t cut it that way.  SO – Saturday she’ll be going to a new stylist.
• Robin’s company will have a scaled-down Christmas party this year – Vickie’s won’t be scaled down but instead of the employees getting gifts, the money will be donated to charity.
• Springfield will be getting a very high-profile speaker in the spring – too bad it will coincide with a couple of other big events.
• Robin’s husband was upset that since the sales tax issue passed, the city now plans to hire more policemen and firemen.  He thinks the voters were misled with how the funds would be spent.  Robin thinks with the new sales tax $ going into the pension fund, the city now has $ they can devote to hiring.  Were the taxpayers duped?  We don’t think so.
• A very high percentage of military applicants don’t meet the educational standards or can’t pass the drug tests.
• Vickie’s mom just bought a new stove on her own and even asked for a “deal” which is reminiscent of what Vickie’s dad would have done.
• Vickie and Hannah are going to start a yoga class at the Meyer Center tomorrow.  Robin won 8 weeks of yoga free at a wellness seminar.
• Vickie recently past the milestone of the one-year anniversary of her dad’s death.
• Robin belongs to a group known as “The Coven”.
• Robin got her H1N1 shot and now feels better about overseas travel.  Vickie doesn’t have access to the vaccine and I probably have an immunity because I’m so old!  Hannah will get her shot at school.
• Vickie and Hannah are going to a Lady Bears game this weekend that will benefit Polio Plus.
• We predict a couple we all know who haven’t been married for long are headed for divorce.
• Robin wants a pair of authentic Chanel sunglasses – but she wants them at a bargain price.
• Vickie asked if there is any product we like so much that we would endorse it.  She recently heard someone respond to that question and say they loved the Garnier Fruitiste eye roll-on cream.  Robin would endorse Spanx.  Vickie and I have no clue.
• Currently I’m listening to 106.7 The River, Vickie listens to KTXR or KSMU and Robin listens to 96.5 whose demographic target group is 16-25 years old.
• For Thanksgiving, Robin and Jim will be with his family and since it’s his dad’s birthday, they will have steak which she doesn’t like.  Vickie will be with Chaz’s family in Highlandville and I’ll be in Phoenix
• Someone who is obsessed with a celebrity is a “focused fan” and not a “stalker.”
• Funny real names that Vickie recently heard were twins named Toyota and Cressida, a lady named Formica Dinette and a guy named Orangejello.
• A friend suggested a business idea to Vickie – coaching kids on hot to get into college.  It would include applications, essays, interviews, deadlines, financial aid, scholarships, etc.  The business would be geared to working mothers who don’t have time to do all this for their kids.  My question – What about PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY on the part of the kids?

• Vickie follows a website that recently suggested these guidelines for professional clothing:  $400-$600 for a suit, $500 for a cashmere sweater, 450 – $800 for a handbag.  That may work in New York with 6-figure salaries but probably isn’t practical for the average working woman in Springfield. 

•  Obituaries should always list the cause of death.

• Men don’t care what we wear as long as it involves red high heels – and nothing else.

That’s all for this month that we can share!  We’ll gather early in December due to other obligations and Robin’s trip to New Zealand to celebrate the holidays.