What do you get when you take 5 women from different parts of the country, have them travel together 4 weeks a year for over 6 years, throw in some drama from leading a volunteer organization, and add just the right mix of love and laughter? You get the Queens.
If you've ever spent any time with me and heard me refer to myself as a Queen, then you know the story of these women who play such a special part in my life. We all served as national president of the Society of Design Adminstration in successive years - each one of us taking turn as "queen" (which, BTW, we never called ourselves in front of the members!). Once we were done serving on the Executive Committee together, our travel times were over and we have made attempts, with only limited success, to get all of us together in the same place at the same time. The efforts have been made more difficult as each one of us has faced personal and family challenges over the years.
I returned last night from spending an amazing 5 days with 3 of the other Queens (the 4th, Renate, was missed very much). Carole hosted Elaine, Brenda and me at her cabin in Red River, New Mexico. We relished the perfect days of visiting, relaxing, playing Spite & Malice (a card game which does NOT bring out the best in us, right Carole?), eating, drinking, shopping, and bear watching. Her vacation home is a slice of heaven, and she is a wonderful hostess - not a single detail was overlooked.
(Me, Carole, Brenda, and Elaine)
Of course, we always bring each other treasures, and so I did a little stamping and altering before I left home:
So here's to the Queens - may it be a much shorter time before we can ALL get together again. I am blessed to have you in my life, and I love each one of you!
