The Grass Valley Getaway Gals

OK here we are Friday night. The gals of Butte County Legal Professionals Association (BCLPA). We attended the November Quarterly Conference in Grass Valley. I hadn't planned on going. I admit, I had thought about it. So Wednesday when Susan asked me if I was going and I said I'd thought about it, she said come along and share the room with her and Julie. So I used my own birthday money to pay for the weekend ($82 just to register but it included Friday night reception, Saturday banquet and Sunday brunch which, btw, was horrible but Saturday night dinner was super!). I spent more money than I planned on but had a great time. I learned a lot and relaxed and enjoyed being around friends old and new. Kari from Sacramento was a pleasure to have breakfast with Saturday morning and seeing others I knew from other conferences was nice, especially when they remembered me. So here we are. In the back, left to right, my dear friend Susan Jarratt, Julie Edsill, me, Cathy Stewart Lemos and in front, Brooke Atherton and Lisa Fanos.

Here we are before dinner Saturday night, me and my adopted sister Susan. We spend holidays together, share grandchildren and even hot flashes. We were all having them Saturday night and while it was pouring outside, we sat on benches in the entryway between the outside and inside and enjoyed the cool air as people came and went.

And I couldn't miss the chance to have my picture taken with my dear friend Julie. She always has an upbeat attitude and tries to make the best of every situation. You can't help but laugh and enjoy life around her. No matter how hard things might be for her (or anyone around her), troubles seem to melt as they are shared with someone as compassionate and intelligent and generous as Julie. I am truly blessed to be able to call her friend.

And while I had not planned on going away for the weekend, I have to say that it was one of my favorite little getaways.

Susan, Julie and I were the Grass Valley Getaway Gals for a weekend. It was wonderful! Now I just have to keep after them to put together the girls spa weekend! Now *that* will be fun!