Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Being the Other Half

It was in the plans for a year and now it's over. I can't believe it! But I'm sure the stories (and the blackmail pictures) will float around for years to come!

My good friend Nic celebrated her 40th birthday with a girls' weekend in Palm Springs this past weekend. Her boyfriend, Doug, planned it all for her and endured all the female craziness, which shows that he's a real keeper! He even hired a couple bartenders to come to the house for an afternoon and serve drinks (shirtless of course) and had a chef come another night to make us a fantastic dinner. We went clubbing, which I haven't done in decades, out for a fancy dinner, and hit the outlet mall hard.

Nic (in red) planking Doug 
Oddly enough, this was the first time I've gone away with girl friends and it was amazing. I knew about half of the ladies going and became fast friends with several of Nic's friends whom I didn't know. We were spoiled rotten all weekend, living like the "other half" lives -- the half without bank account worries or lunches to make or bills to obsess about. We shopped, flopped around the pool, enjoyed the sun, ate incredible food, and laughed. A LOT. With 17 women under one roof, there is bound to be a bit of drama but it really wasn't anything serious and certainly not enough to interfere with our good time. We all relaxed and enjoyed being away from jobs, kids, and whatever other responsibilities occupied our minds. It was awesome to just decompress with some of my favourite people.


I came home to a long grocery list on the fridge and overflowing laundry baskets, and I was so exhausted after the late nights and early mornings (the 'other half' must have a staff to keep their lives going and scheduled nap times or they wouldn't be able to function!). But the kids were so excited to see me (and to receive the fun TicTac and gum flavours you can't get here) and my husband did a great job getting everyone where they needed to be all weekend. I had a great time but it sure is nice to be home!

Maybe we'll do it again when we turn 50. I wonder if we will have slowed down by then.... I hope not! Happy 40th, Nic. It was a riot!!