The GIRLS Letter web site for women

In this issue, we have a lot of fabulous information and fun reading. Much of the letter focuses on the “little things” in life. Many of us can get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life, we forget to take notice the snippets of joy life offers us. Hopefully, this issue will encourage you to savor the small miracles of daily living.

In May, a group of friends and I went to see Oprah in Seattle. She spoke for hours on “Living Your Best Life,” candid about her own experience, her failures and trials, and the events that eventually made her who she is today. It was an inspiring and exhausting day; we all left pondering big questions. Let me share a few with you, along with highlights of her message:

What is your purpose? Why are you here? We are all here on this planet to fulfill a specific purpose and we must be willing to follow our own unique paths. The universe can dream a bigger dream for us than we can dream for ourselves.

When was the last time you experienced REAL JOY? What were you doing and feeling? When do you feel most powerful and at peace? Describe in detail the life of your dreams. What is keeping you from it?

What is your INTENTION? Intention forms thought—thought shapes action—action creates consequence.

Oprah encouraged us to do some internal work…not easy stuff. Ultimately though, if we are willing to put in the time and take the risk, we all can live the lives of our dreams! Listen to your heart. What is it saying? What are the little signals that are calling you? Go towards the life you desire. Set expectation for a joyful life and personal best. Live in a place of possibility. Live a life on purpose.

For me, the journey towards my best life is ever evolving. I struggle and get in slumps now and then, but overall I feel I am making progress. And as far as I can tell, it is a life process. As I change, my calling changes too. I am growing, learning, and appreciating life more every day. “If you stop growing, you start dying” is a popular expression that seems apropos.

I wish you all a fabulous summer. Take the time to ask yourself the hard questions and push forward to the life of your dreams. Also, just take time for fun. Get together with the GIRLS, for no reason other than to enjoy each other’s companionship. Our friends add so much to our lives! Celebrate you and the unique person that you are.

We are all made unique, for a specific purpose. As I write this, my belly jumps at intermittent intervals, the child growing in my belly, like a little hiccuppy, drunken sailor floating in the sea of mom. Although this little girl is growing in my body, I have no true control of her development. There is a power much larger than me bringing her into the world. She has a purpose—she is called to this earth for some wonderful reason and I am just the vehicle to get her here. So it is with all of us. Seek out your true calling. If you are on the path, keep going! The world is big enough for us all to succeed and to do so in monumental proportion! Encourage each other and find joy! Think how much better the world would be if we all did EXACTLY what we were put on this earth to do… Miracles await us.

In love and friendship,

Celeste Palermo
celeste@thegirlsletter.com
www.thegirlsletter.com

Do you ever miss your youth and all the fun things you used to do? Here is an idea to re-live your childhood and the good times that go along with being a kid! Have a potluck picnic with friends and play games from years past. Here’s how…

Invitations
Send an empty balloon along with the invitation and attach a note that says, “Fill Me With Water.” Explain to guests this water balloon is their ticket into the party. On the invitation, you can also assign guests something to bring for potluck.

Food Ideas
Fried Chicken
Potato Salad
Bread
Baked Beans
Chips & Dips
Cookies & Cupcakes

Fun Games
Kick ball
Water balloon toss
Three-legged race
Egg on a spoon race
Horseshoes

Recipe - Cupcakes cones
Any flavor cake mix
Wafer ice cream cones
Any flavor cake frosting
Sprinkles or other candy to top cones

For Cupcake cones: Follow directions on box of cake mix. Pour batter into ice cream cones (only ¼ full). Don't overfill or they will overflow. Place the cones in muffin tins and bake as directed. Frost and decorate. Enjoy!

A Lesson From The Fairy Caves
By: Linda Titcomb

This past week our kids took us to visit the Fairy Caves in Glenwood Springs, Colorado—a grand and mysterious experience, full of history and romance. A couple spelunkers who helped prepare the caves for public exhibition were actually married in the Caves. Very romantic! The romance was even obvious to our four-year-old granddaughter who, following the tour commented, “I can’t believe they got married in there!”

The cave wedding reminded me of how much we all long for romance in our lives. It occurred to me that my parents were romantics, though most unlikely looking if you accept the models of Scarlett and Rhett or Tracy and Hepburn. Yet, now I see they were romantic dreamers caught up in the daily necessities of survival, who took their responsibilities seriously, while trying not to let the demands and realities of nurturing children neutralize their desire for romance.

The efforts they made were nothing extravagant as diamonds or store bought flowers, but more like having a hearty dinner at the end of a tiring day, bringing the new Louis L’Amour western or latest “good read” home from the library or surprising each other with some newfangled apparatus aimed at making their domestic life easier.

Fun consisted of light banter exchanged during a review of the day at the evening meal…going to the movies…a picnic…or exploring back roads in a ’56 Mercury station wagon…always with six kids in tow. Their dream of exotic travel became a tent trailer and scrapbooks full of photos, souvenirs and memories; the desire for expensive possessions and elegant clothing became excitement over a “great find” at a yard sale or discount store.

What Mom admittedly missed most in the twelve years after Dad died (before she went to be with him) was the companionship of daily small talk and the attention given by simple courtesies and compliments. Though neither ever said such, they seemed to understand that dreams are lived at the level of the little things; that the magnificent, yet fragile stalactites and stalagmites of great romance grow from an accumulation of the daily “drips” of unselfish kindness and love expressed the best we know how.

Money Matters!
By Heather & Abby

Last time we challenged you to start thinking about your finances by setting goals, developing a budget and beginning to save. So how have you done? Hopefully you have been able to focus a little more on your finances, but if you haven’t, there is no better time than the present. Although it’s summer and we want you outside enjoying the weather, remember to save those pennies. Don’t feel that you can’t spend a few dollars on yourself though…indulge in a new bathing suit for the season or a fresh bouquet of flowers to brighten your day and renew your spirit.

Since we are all striving to take better care of ourselves these days, we are living longer too. Some financial planners believe that we will need 80% or more of our pre-retirement earnings to lead the retirement lifestyle we all dream about…that is a bunch of pennies! Planning for your future can be complex but don’t let yourself get overwhelmed. Take one step at a time. Below are some additional tips to consider as you begin to save for your future:

We do not claim to be experts; so to make sure you’re building your best strategy situation, consult your own Financial and Tax Advisor. GIRLS, take responsibility for your own financial future…no one else will do it for you!

The following quotes are from “Normal is just a Setting on the Dryer and Other Lessons from the Real World” by Adair Lara. My mom sent me this book and it is a fun, uplifting read, with some sage advice. (Perfect for bathtub reading!) Pick up a copy for yourself and one for a friend!

“Drink wine, save old love letters, listen to vintage Van Morrison… However, do not blast Morrison’s music and make short order of a bottle of wine while reading those old love letters, or you’ll find yourself thinking now would be a perfect time to make a long-distance call to their author.”

“Never fry bacon in the nude.”

“A hike can do more than therapy.”

“Expectations are premeditated resentments.”

“How much did your most comfy shoes cost? Add ten dollars and buy a bra for that amount.”

The Gehrkes Go North: A Family Adventure
By Ashley Gehrke

Our latest trip to Wisconsin was quite an adventure! Picture this... a Dodge Ram truck packed inside with snacks, distractions/entertainment, my personal essentials, (I’ve learned to have my important things in the truck because they have flown out of the back of the truck bed before and gotten splattered all over the highway…) a black pug in a kennel, our two-year old daughter, and me and my husband in the front. The bed of the truck contains a mountain of suitcases, our black labrador in his kennel, golf clubs, water skiing equipment and dog food. BEHIND the truck, we are trailing grandpa’s new water ski boat! All of this with a 20 hour trip ahead of us.
My husband’s family lives on a lake in the northern woods of Wisconsin. It’s a beautiful place nestled among hundreds of trees and behind the house, right in the backyard, is a large, pristine lake perfect for every type of water entertainment imaginable. I love going there. It’s just getting there that can be nerve wracking! As a parent, you will take many family trips. Some to visit family, others just vacationing, some both. Here are a few things to keep in mind when traveling family style.

ALWAYS HAVE SNACKS! I suggest snacks with few crumbs. I found this out a little too late after giving my daughter a Nutrigrain bar. Afterwards, it did not look like much of the snack actually made it into her mouth, more was in her car seat.

WATER: Traveling always seems to dehydrate you. While driving, especially for the adults, caffeinated drinks are the norm. Do not forget to drink water as well. Yes, you will have to make pit stops but it is worth it.

STOP AT THE REST STOPS. This may seem necessary only when in between gas stations, but I have found that there are some gorgeous rest stops through Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. You can get out and get your blood pumping; they are usually scenic stops with information about the surrounding area. Hey, stopping to pee can be a learning experience!

ENTERTAINMENT. So how DO you pass the time when driving 20 hours? Sleeping is an option, (for passengers only!), but our back up defense is a movie. We bring DVDs for our daughter and play them on my husband’s laptop. The best activity we had this trip, was a traveling size etch-a-sketch toy. (McKenna spent more time doing this than any other thing.) We also brought Barbies, a baby doll, coloring books, and picture books. Sometimes we just talked and SANG! For the adults, books on tape are awesome. But a word of caution: If it is an adult book, like Stephen King, Michael Crichton, or John Grisham, be sure only to listen when your kids are sleeping. McKenna didn’t like that “man to talk.” She’d say “NO talking, man!”

Overall, our trip was pretty good! We made it just under 20 hours with one big lunch break at a gross truck stop. McKenna kept waving to men with no teeth and the food was GREASY. (Even my salad was greasy!) The return trip took us just under 17 hours, sans boat. Flying is always an alternative, but if you want to save money, have quality family time, and see the sights, driving can be a true family adventure! Happy travels!

The Little Things
By: Celeste

Take time this week to think about how much the little things matter. Little things can make a BIG difference! Think about how relieved you are to find a tampon at the bottom of your purse when you really, and I mean REALLY, need one. Think about the true power of the heartfelt words, “I love you” and “Thank- you.” Starting today, take time to savor all the WONDERFUL little joys and miracles of life. Ponder for a moment how great some of these “little things” really are:

A hot bath after a long day
A margarita with friends on a summer afternoon
A perfect drive on the golf course
No cavities at the dentist
A friendly note in the mailbox
Free Valet Parking
A perfect hair day
A Hagen-Daz ice cream cone
No traffic when you’re late for an appointment
The sound of children laughing
Waking in the morning without an alarm clock
Finding your favorite pair of lost sunglasses
2 for 1 hot dogs at 7-Eleven
The relaxed feeling after a great workout
A single flower from someone you love
Finding a pair of new jeans that fit perfectly

“If you think you are too small to make a difference, you’ve never been in bed with a mosquito.” – Bette Reese

PS: Just kidding about the 7-Eleven hot dogs…just seeing if you are paying attention! ?

Coach’s Corner
By: Cara Titcomb

When I sat down to write something about fun and simplicity, I was stumped. Everybody knows how to have fun, right? Sure. And simplicity? Oh, just clean out your closet and your life changes for the better. Ok, done. Whew, imparting wisdom is so easy these days. Clean closets solve all, and with some music and wine, you’ve got fun, fun, fun! Finding a fluorescent pink shirt from 1987 might generate some well-deserved laughter (and this can be genuinely fun if you are anal retentive like myself), but all of our "fun" times need not -- and hopefully should not -- be multitasked with chores or "shoulds" of any kind.
Think back to the last time you laughed your ---- off and almost peed your pants like when you were a little kid. If it is recent, great! And, though the key word here is "almost," you have most likely carved out some time to play sans any attachment to work or the "shoulds" of self improvement. If your near-pee experience is less recent, think back. Who were you with? What were you doing? How can you reinvent fun in your life and bust up laughing for no reason at all?

As you know, it is easy to get stuck in the day-to-day routine. Unless we seek out new experiences and challenges, they often don’t come knocking on our front door. You can only have so much fun with religious solicitors and Avon ladies. Sometimes you have to get moving and make things happen. Where are the activities that get your juices flowing? What are you passionate about? Where are the boundaries of your comfort zone that keep you from letting loose? What do you think would be fun but haven’t done because it scares you? …Go do it now.

It is summer! There are many opportunities to try new things. Extend your boundaries, take a risk, and laugh at yourself as you learn something new. Play! Play! Play! If you have little rascals at home, take a few tips from them. Enter that watermelon-eating contest with your child/friend/mom. (Just imagining your mom in a watermelon-eating contest might be funny enough!) Involve your support network in adventures and games. You never know where an expedition to find huffalumps will end up. And if it ends up at your messy closet because you can’t stop thinking about all the things you "should" do, break our your LL Cool J jams, grab a beverage, and a loyal companion. Then, get those nagging chores done as quickly as possible so you can move on to other, more giggly endeavors. You will probably be amazed at the momentum you can create when you actually BEGIN.

I once talked with a man who believed people would be extremely successful in life if they followed their "quirks". What are your quirks? How can you embrace them to enrich your life and create joy and laughter? Be wary of putting ‘have fun’ on your to do list -- when would you actually cross that off? Instead, think of a few key (dare I say frivolous?) activities that you enjoy and dive in! What is fun for one person may not be for another, so find what you are into and grow your "fun" from those seeds. Build the activities and people you are passionate about into your life so the laughter and giggles come naturally.

“We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”
--Joseph Campbell

“You are born with a character; it is given; a gift, as the old stories say, from guardians upon your birth—Each person enters the world called.” – James Hillman

“You may not think you can reach it. Climb anyway. You may not think you’ll be heard. Speak anyway. You may no think you can change things. Try anyway.” --Inspired by Maya Angelou

FitBits: STRETCH FOR LIFE
By Amy & Carol

We hope you are well entrenched with your annual FITPLAN and feeling wonderful benefits both physically and spiritually! But regardless of the reason you have or haven’t started, now is a good time to recall some words of advice: “It is said that it take 5-7 years to realize your true fitness potential once you begin in earnest down the path. If you do not constantly seek enjoyment and satisfaction throughout the journey, you will never reach your destination.”

Now it is time to focus on core strengthening and stretching, a crucial piece to your annual FITPLAN. The benefits are simple; they reduce injury, maintain muscle elasticity, increase performance and most of all, relaxation. Stretching is great time to yourself, which can induce relaxation, focus, and decrease stress. Be sure to include stretching before and after each workout. It is easy to do at home or at a local yoga, Pilates, yogalaties class. Here are a few of our favorite (Denver) places:

Bikram Highland’s Yoga    303 477 8545
Artistic Body Development    303 825 5980
Iyengar Center    720 570 YOGA

When stretching at home we recommend you use a Fitball and a foam roller. Both of these pieces of equipment are inexpensive and convenient to keep around the house, not to mention great to use for deep stretching and/or core strengthening.

So, with this in mind, let us also heed the advice of one of our running Coaches, Scott Gurst, who says, “ Take personal responsibility for your training… Starting today, begin to utilize to your full potential the many terrific resources you have available to help you move intelligently and efficiently down the path.”
It is never too late to start an annual FITPLAN so, if you haven’t begin today! Fellow runners, outdoor enthusiasts, family and friends, STRETCH FOR LIFE!

A Parting Thought…
The other day while driving down 1-25 with Peyton, a van full of boys passed my car. They slowed a bit, opened the back window, and stuck out a dry-erase board that read, “You’re a 10!” Then several hands thrust out the window and they all gave me the thumbs up.
I looked down at my burgeoning belly and then back at my daughter, who was asleep in her car seat, mouth agape. “I’ve still got it…and I’m a 7 ½ month pregnant mom,” I thought. I chuckled to myself as I watched the van drive away. Sure, they were just teens, but hey, someone is still looking!
Ahh, the power of words. This is just one example of how a little thing can brighten a day or make someone laugh. I challenge you all to do at least one little thing this week to make someone’s day better. Pay a compliment. Write a note. Call your mom. Treat a friend to ice cream or buy her fresh flowers. Smile at a stranger. Give one dollar to a homeless person. You get the idea. (And I’m sure you can be more creative than me when it comes to ideas.) Just see what opportunities life presents…you’ll never know how much of an impact you may make!

“Every object, Every being, is a jar full of delight. Be a connoisseur.” --Rumi