Column #10 - A Sensual Woman's Best Gift

So, did you do last month's assignment? What did you write in your journal, what was the thing or person or place that fascinates you?

For me, I'm fascinated by keys. Since I was young I've found spare keys to be interesting. They come in so many shapes and sizes and usually they give no indication of what they are for, or where they have been. I used to make up stories for certain keys, that they opened a treasure chest or secret door that led to another world. Throughout my life I've felt that I've been given "keys" that opened doors for me. No, they weren't always the metal kind that you kept on a ring. Often it was a conversation with someone, a certain object that I found or even just a feeling that something was coming my way. The doors they opened were mental or emotional ones, opening a new path in my life. So now you know my journal page is devoted to keys.

Well my friends, I had something happen a little bit ago that I thought would be good to pass on to you in our column. I'd been waiting all week to go out, had big plans for dinner and drinks out at a great little restaurant with a beautiful terrace in the company of one of my newer lovers. Instead of waking up to sunshine, I woke up to rain and a message on my machine that said, "Sabine, since it looks like it's going to rain tonight, how about we get together another time. I have a lot of work to catch up on and probably should stay at the office and take care of it. I'll check my calendar and call you later to reschedule."

Well, isn't that a horrible way to start a day? He must have had a lot of work to do, since he didn't even drop the business tone when he left the message. I'm not sure this man is going to last long in my life if he can't even wait to talk to me in person to break a date. Anyone who loves their job that much doesn't have time for me. Forget him.

Sensual women are all about making the best out of a bad situation, of finding happiness in every part of life no matter what life throws your way.

So, what's a girl to do when her plans are dashed by rain and a pathetic boyfriend? She calls her girlfriends of course! Don't underestimate the power of women friends and never let yourself be without at least one good friend you can tell all your secrets to.

I've gone through certain periods of my life where my girlfriends were few and far between and it was awful not to have a sympathetic ear to tell my troubles too. Sure, I could have told my mother, but, well, there are some things mothers just should not know about their daughters! Really, just think about telling the woman who raised you and couldn't even say the word "breast" that your bikini wax didn't turn out as you'd hoped, or that your new bra cradles the girls magnificently, or that your latest lover has this incredibly oddly shaped…. well, you get the idea. If you can tell your mum those sorts of things, I congratulate her on being a wonderful role model!

Those of us who aren't that lucky need to keep a small group of close friends nearby for calling out in emergency situations. I dialed up a few of my best girls and it turned out several of us had canceled plans so it was time to come up with a new game plan for the weekend.

Next time you and your girlfriends find yourself with a free evening, I recommend a good old-fashioned sleepover. You probably did it when you were young; there is no reason not to do it when you are older too. Just think now you can eat cookies all night or raid the liquor cabinet without having to hide it from your parents!!

There are plenty of things to do, most of them costing less than your typical night on the town and providing a weekend's worth of fun and friendship. Here are some ideas to get you started:

My Favorite Movie Night – Have each of your friends bring over their favorite movie or choose one actor or actress and show only their movies. Make some popcorn, stock up on munchies and candy and spend the night relaxing in front of the TV. Make sure to have tissues on hand for tear-jerkers and blankets to hide behind for scary flicks.

Adults Only Movie Night – Similar to the suggestion above, but with a more adult theme. If you've got some naughty films, bring them along. Or visit a video store and rent some. A trip to an adult toy shop is always fun too, never know what you might find. Settle down with some wine and snacks and I guarantee you'll be saying "How does she do that?" and "Can it really be that big?" all night long.

Put Your Best Foot Forward – Have you ever had a pedicure? If so then you know they can be such a treat and there really isn't anything to them. Invite the girls over and have basins for foot soaking, basic nail care tools and some fancy new polish. It's amazing what a brilliant red on the toes can do for the spirit. If you're not sure how to go about it all, the internet is full of sites with ideas for tootsie-pampering.

Blast from the Past – This idea is great for women who have been friends forever. Grab those school yearbooks, dusty photo albums and all the old music you used to listen to and take a walk through memory lane. What favorite foods did you eat when you had a sleepover? Pizza, chips, Oreos? Make sure you have lots of them. How about including some of those forbidden things you were never allowed to have? Most of those things came in bottles. Take your yearbooks and head to the internet and see if you can locate any of your old friends. If you've kept any diaries or other records from the past, bring them to share. You'll be surprised at how far you've come in some ways, but also how little you've changed in others.

Beauty School 101 – This is a fun one for those women who are always into the newest and best in cosmetics and it is also good for a larger crowd. Buy a book or hit the internet to find information on home-made beauty treatments. Head to the grocery to pick up what you need and bring it back, with an amazing bottle of wine or two and some snacks, and see how the home-made versions stack up. Laugh and take pictures as you try out the avocado face mask, or the lemon salt scrub. Try some of the outrageously disgusting ones and see if there is any merit to them. Who knows, you might find a new trick to add to your beauty routine.

Potluck Dinner – My personal favorite and a great choice for a group of women to get to know each other. Gathering with friends to share food is one of life's greatest pleasures and it is an extremely easy way to entertain. Either have the girls bring their favorite dishes, or give everyone a course to cook at your house, having them buy the ingredients before they arrive. Try a wine or cheese tasting, or perhaps make some ethnic dishes. Chocolate tastings are really fun now that there are so many types of chocolate being marketed. Or maybe just have a dessert dinner. Make some amazing coffee and tea and indulge until you can't take another bite.

So next time it rains on your parade, don't sit around and mope, call one or ten of your girlfriends and have a blast. In your Sensual Woman journal write down your favorite ideas so you are ready to go the next time you need a lift. In fact, don't wait until then. Make a date soon with some of your bestest friends.

Until next time, expect pleasure!!!