Ahhhhh... a Spa

It was time to gather with girlfriends for a day of "we" time. We met at Nouveau Skin Spa to pamper the flesh and the refresh spirit. It wasn't easy pulling up to the commercial-looking complex and believing that I could be whisked away, but the minute I opened the door to be greeted by deep color and a water fall, the journey was on!

First on my agenda was the Nouveau Facial where my mug was anointed with essential oils and brushed with unguents. I was especially blessed to be treated by the founder, Sunny, herself. Next, I was "rocking on" with a Medistone massage at the caring hands of Stormy. Heated stones pressed upon my skin, relieving every tension. I floated to the makeup vanity to get dusted with mineral powder and ready for the rest of the day.

More relaxing was on the agenda ... The Gathering Place at Bookwalter Winery for a bottle of Protagonist - the feisty red blend with a Merlot star! We enjoyed the wine with a plate of five artisan cheeses (my fave was the Rogue Creamery Smokey Bleu). After joining the Book Club to enjoy the privileges of membership, we selected a case of wines to take home.

Get carried away on the current that runs through Tri Cities.

Jammin' at Tea-time

Looking for an enchanting experience? Try High Tea. The Victorian Tea Garden in Richland serves a traditional English Tea almost daily. Enter the cozy parlor and enjoy fine cups and saucers in a variety of styles. Select your tea, hot or iced, and enjoy an array of delicacies ~ crustless finger sandwiches, sausages, scones with jam, tiny cakes and crisp cookies.

Sometimes the currant catches the current in Tri Cities.

Get Your Groove, Girl Friend

This one is dedicated to the feminine ... and it might be of interest for guys, too ...

Never having looked at an episode of the television series, I went to see the film "Sex and the City." What a wonderful surprise. I was stirred through laughter, tears, frustration, and a deepened appreciation for my friends of the girl persuasion. The story exposed so many facets of feeling ~ love, loyalty, betrayal, regret, fear, healing, tenderness, tolerance, truth ... and, did I say, love?

Afterward, we headed to the bar for Cosmopolitans, of course. And, though we were at an Applebee's, it resonated as well as any bar in any area code ... where two or more are gathered, girls rock!

The highlights were revisited with every social opportunity. One friend asked me how I could find the film so moving among all the provocative scenes? To which I replied that we've all seen nudity, what's the big deal? "Sex and the City" includes sex ... and ... the ... city. 'nuff said.

Meanwhile, I am reinventing me in (very early) preparation for my 50th (for which I finally have a role model of both what I want and what I don't). In an effort to remain true to my authentic self, I revisit my Style Statement. Creative Presence. Crafted for me by Carrie McCarthy, co-founder of Carrie & Danielle and co-author of "Style Statement," these two words encapsulate my nature, my essence and provide a filter, when needed, in decision making. Get the book and give it a try!

And, then, to really dig deep, I recommend EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) with instructor Anne Wendt, owner of Realign Abundance. The EFT process is used for a variety of goals including professional growth, sports performance, and stress relief. Anne guided me through the tapping sequence while visiting painful memories and the consequential anxiety I had been experiencing. The result is an emotional lightening and a baggage dump. How refreshing. Next time, I am going to ask Anne to help me tap my way to an improved golf game!

There is a current running through Tri Cities ... catch it!