Some people got to family reunions. Some go to class reunions? Other people meet in different ways and click, and then start to do things together in a group. Do you travel with a group of people? Do you plan for months and all look forward for weeks and even months for just a few short days or hours together? Before this group of women came into my life, I never had this experience with more than another couple. I have to say it is life-changing to have, not just close friends, but people who plan and do things together. So if you don’t have this in your life, I fully recommend it.
The History Gals Ozzed out over the Wicked weekend in Orange County, CA last weekend. In addition to seeing Wicked, which I had never seen, we went to see the new Wizard of Oz movie, Oz, the Great and Powerful.
Traditions are developing. What traditions do you have when you meet friends
- A theme for the weekend’s activities
- Gifts for everyone from everyone.
- Lots of food
- Girlie beauty activities
- Plenty of stories and giggles
What do you give the gals just want to have a good time, and it’s all about the uniqueness of the situation? Months ahead of time Leslie told us that she had some special things planned for our Wicked weekend. I couldn’t imagine what she was doing, but the last time we got together, she made each of us a fantastic book out of many of our pictures of our trips for the last year. So I worried and felt excited at the same time. Not a particularly creative gifter, I asked my friend Mary what I should get. She suggested red Isotoner slippers. V suggested that I wait till I get there to buy anything. So I took their advice.
Les and I were the only ones who stayed in a hotel. The Wyndham with a remodeled bar only five days old, was quite nice and very reasonable.
We ended up with an executive suite that had a beautiful view of the courtyard turtles.
Because Les and I got to our chosen destination the night before, we had extra time to spend celebrating. While we waited for our names to come up at Maggiano’s in South Coast Plaza, we walked over to Sears. Almost the second we walked in, these red shoes jumped off the shelf and into our cart. I still didn’t know what Leslie had planned, but the shoes were on sale, and while I was off buying them, she was off doing some other green or red scouting.
I have been to South Coast Plaza, but never to Maggiano’s. I had chicken picata, but what I really loved was the Chocolate Marshmallow Torte, which we split, and I finished my half for breakfast the next morning. I didn’t know until tonight, but when you buy a torte, you support Make-A Wish. Go to their website, it’s really cool!
This was a weekend of firsts for me. I had never been to a Mac make-up store. The place was jammed with women and girls in every stage of madeupness. They didn’t have enough artists to create a green look for all of us at the same time. All we told them was that we needed to be green for the weekend. Leslie probably came out the most green, but she started out with the greenest shirt.
Debbie’s was a little more muted, but I came out rather neonish, but I bought the look, and I don’t mind being a little green once in a while. The process was lots of fun!
The Mac make-up people make up 80-90% of Hollywood productions. The make-up comes in all colors, and includes body make-up.The Wicked Witch of the West wore Mac body make-up. Probably Bronze Lady in San Diego sported Mac make-up, too!!! That took up most of the day.
We ate our evening meal after the movie, Oz, the Great and Powerful, which was cute, but I won’t spoil it for you. I will only say that the perspective was entirely different than the Wicked perspective. I spoiled my appetite like I always do when I go to movies – with the largest order of popcorn! No, I didn’t eat it all! We went to Cafe Tu Tu Tango for tapas since no one was super hungry. Tapas, if you didn’t know, are Spanish appetizers. I am fairly uncultured, so I didn’t know that until recently. I rely on my younger friends to educate me.
This tapas cafe featured belly and tango dancers who entertained us, and even drew out some of the audience to participate with them. I was thankful that they didn’t stop at our table. Unlike my friend Sylvia, I couldn’t have stood and belly danced on demand, although I have a fairly bouncy belly.
After that demonstration, we drove to the Crystal Cathedral, when a group from our church in Oregon had visited the epic day they were inserting the first glass into it. I learned this weekend that it now belongs to the Catholic church. I can’t tell you all the other things I learned this weekend!!! All I can say is that for someone as old and well-educated as I am, I sure don’t know much!!! And that doesn’t count all the things that I used to know, but forgot!!! So…I’m excited – so much to learn!!! Guess I’d better get busy! 🙂
Marsha Ingrao - Always Write 
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