It's been a rough couple of weeks for me. The loss of my dentist of 38 years at the young age of 62. The sudden and unexpected illness and departure of my local Rotary President. Surprising and sad developments for one of my nieces and her family. I've been feeling overwhelmed with loss and sadness. My plate is full and the peas are falling off!!! I'm 54 and no doubt experiencing the symptoms of menopause! Ahh, such is life.

It was a dream come true for all of us. After all the plans and all the hopes we put into our vacation together – it all worked out great. The one exception was that one of our group was unable to come with us. Peaches and Cream was obligated to remain here in the valley due to family issues that prevent any travel at the moment. Nevertheless, she wished us well, followed our moves on the Internet and spoke with us as we traveled around my home state of Colorado. We knew she was a part of us in spirit.

DenverI traveled home first on the 4th of July to get my condo in order. The rest of the group arrived on Monday the 6th. It was cool in Colorado which was a real relief from the valley summer heat. We ate dinner together and retired early because the next day marked the real start of the vacation.

Wanted to share this article with all of you. It's a great book.

'Ames' chronicles women's friendships

By MICHAEL J. CRUMB | Associated Press | Story updated at 7:17 pm on 7/9/2009

DES MOINES, Iowa - A year before it became a best-seller, author Jeffrey Zaslow wondered if all the time he'd put into his book about the longtime friendship of 11 women would be wasted.

Well, we are doing it! After talking about it for almost a full year our NFLL group will be leaving California to travel to Colorado for a 5 day vacation. I have lived with my sister in the central valley of California off and on for four years now but my real home is still in Colorado and I wanted to show my friends why I love my home so much. We leave here in early July for fun in the high country. Our plans include river rafting, alpine sliding, site seeing and a baseball game at famed Coors Field in Denver.

A recent article on WebMD was sent to me by my daughter and while the results of the testing aren’t surprising they do indicate what most of us know already. Activities that stimulate the mind will do wonders for your longevity and will help prevent memory loss. Sitting in front of the TV seems to do nothing to help you maintain your mental sharpness or your physical stamina. Involving oneself in friendships and social activities is the breath of life for all women. We need each other.

Blossom TrailLast month we went on our Second Annual Blossom Trail picnic. Yes - our second. This has become one of our social events we have with each other.

You ask...what is the Blossom Trail? Here, out in our countryside, we have orchards of fruit trees. For the Winter months, they are dormant...limbs reaching out in the fog waiting for Springtime...and when Springtime comes...beauty abounds. The trees bud out with pink and white blossoms making way for peaches, apricots, plums, apples and many more varieties.

A couple of years ago, we decided to make a picnic lunch and light out on the Blossom Trail. We ended up at a park by a river in a small town on the outskirts of the City. I know I mentioned 'picnic' but I must tell you...we are not ordinary ladies and we most certainly don't have ordinary picnics! My friends and I have unique culinary specialties and we put them to the test. No PBJ or ham and cheese sandwiches for us...

Darlenes 2007There are six of us...all different...but drawn together out of a need to venture out from our lives to meet and get to know others who might share some of the same adventures and thoughts about friendship and giving that I have.

When we first got together a few years ago, we had no idea what would come from a small dinner party. Like I mentioned, we are six different ladies but all feeling the need for some mind-challenging conversation, sharing with each other, giving to others...and a special bond emerged from these needs and wants.

There is diversity in our little group...there is genuine caring for each other...we know we are there for all. We have travelers, great cooks, talented scrapbookers, picture takers that have captured the perfect moment so many times, and me ...who loves setting a table or as it has been labeled...tablescape...

Last night our New Friends group got together and celebrated Valentine's Day. Little did I know, when I was invited to the first get together with these women, how much my life would be enriched by making these new friends. I think each one of us feels a connection to each woman in our group in a special and unique way. It feels like we have been friends a long time. Everyone is so giving...we all came away with several valentines!

As a registered nurse I deal with health issues all day long. But in the course of my hospital work and field work as a visiting nurse I am always amazed at how uninformed women are about what real health means. I know that I can give prescribed medications that make a condition better or at least reduce harmful symptoms for any number of illnesses. I can suggest exercise and weight reduction programs to help patients reach a better level of health and living. I can show a patient where to go to get information, direction and support with all kinds of health problems and conditions.

Almost all of the correspondence used within the NFLL has our logo printed somewhere on the document. Many people have asked me to explain just what our logo represents. In actuality the logo is the story of our group of friends. First of course we are women – represented by the outline of a womans face. We are gathered together as friends so we face the future together – thus the logo has two faces looking toward each other. The semi circle joining the two faces indicates our willingness to stay together and be supportive of each other even in difficult and trying times.