Take the trip. I almost didn't and I'm so glad I did!

You're busy. I'm busy. The Messy Mommies are busy. Everyone is busy. But you should take time, make time to take a trip with your girlfriends. I recently did. I almost didn't and I'm so glad I did! My awesome group of childhood friends and I took a great trip to Florida for our 40th birthdays and several years ago we visited some fun wineries in Michigan and stayed over. Then COVID hit and we, of course, haven't been on a trip together. Over the past year our gang has shared heartache with some parents and family passing, craziness with kids and their school work, activities, and sports, and our jobs and a million other stressful things. Claudette, our fabulous ring leader, had enough of us getting together for sad or stressful reasons and way back in January declared that we all needed to get away for some laughter and fun.

We picked the date and said that the weekend would be great with whomever could really make it when October rolled around. Claudette found this fabulous house that slept 16 in Beachwalk in Michigan City on VRBO. We picked somewhere that we could drive to to make it easier on our pocketbooks and to help make it easier for people to come on the trip. We picked a house so we would have plenty of space to hang out and play games and could make some of our meals and snacks. Before the trip the texts were flying around with who was bringing what snacks and discussions on what cocktails we should make. We were all excited about the trip!

But here is the deal. I almost didn't go and I almost canceled a bunch of time right until I pulled out of my driveway to drive to meet the girls. And, I think a few of my friends were thinking similar things. Things were hectic with my girls, work was crazy, yada, yada, yada. Thankful I decided I really should go. Most of the girls drove over Friday afternoon. Marcy and I drove over super early Saturday morning and arrived as they were digging into the delicious breakfast casseroles. We had the best day!!!! We walked on the beach, had lunch at the Stray Dog and checked out the little shops, and hung out at the house. We had fabulous snacks and fabulous cocktails. We played Empire and games and laughed and laughed and laughed. We told stories, caught up on the little things in our lives, and cheered each other on. As Kimmie tried to get people to have shots, we laughed at old stories and I couldn't help but think how glad I was that I took the trip. The long to do lists at home, the laundry, and other things could all wait. Precious time like this with friends could not. Our short time together re-energized us all and lifted our hearts. 

I recently saw some of our fellow St. Francis classmates, Patti, Kathy and friends also took a girls trip. Despite car troubles, I could tell from their smiles that they too had lifted their hearts and had a great time together. So, call your girlfriends and plan a trip. It can be close or far, simple or elaborate, or anything in between. The time together will make you laugh, will encourage you, and will brighten your days. I'm so glad I made the trip! 

Since we are always about the snacks and cocktails, a few side notes! We had fabulous snacks and are sharing some similar recipes! Michelle made a new Bloody Mary dip, Colleen made a delicious Greek dip, and Treva made one of my favorite Tastefully Simple dips, the Honey Teriyaki Peanut dip! Amy's daughter Audrey made us great pumpkin cookies! Kimmie was pouring shots of Crown Royal Apple and Michelle made fun S'Mores martinis with Baileys S'Mores. Bernadette brought tons of Costco Prosecco which was fabulous! We can't wait to hear about your trip with your girlfriends too!