I’ve been home from the best girl trip of my life for a week…and I’m just now sobering up!
You know when a story begins with, “Once upon a time” you get the strangest sense that “something” is about to go awry for the princess, but you move on raising your expectations and high hopes for the “happily ever after”. Spoil alert…That is exactly what happened to me…the happy part anyway! A week ago I was in Italy… a wish… that came true! I’m still under the spell of the brilliant Tuscan sun… and I don’t want to wake…not even by a kiss. Dreams really do come true outside of Orlando…and Prince Charming really does exist. I was there… I have proof. He said, (verbatim) “I will do whatever YOU ladies want to do. Just tell me, and I will do everything I can to make it happen”. I kid you not. His exact words. I can die now. Our “Prince”, played by John Munson, is a 37-year-old young man, not so tall, dark and very handsome entrepreneur/genius. He grew up in my home town, Lakeland, Florida (where he studied impeccable manners). John has a LOT of knowledge about EVERYTHING…and when he is not traveling the world (literally), and filling wine glasses he chooses to roam around New York, where he now calls home. He has the innate ability to make 10 women happy all at once day after day. It’s a gift. Girl-friend, this is my real-life, once in a lifetime, once upon a time fairy-tale that took place in Tuscany. Pinch me.
This tall tall tale began, with a phone call from my sister (not “step” as in Cinderella, but… the pretty, slim, rich one), asking me if I would like to go to Tuscany, Italy with her in September. I said, “Uh-huh”! And so this fable began…I didn’t make a single decision after that. Not one. My ticket, my villa, my robe not to mention my slippers were arranged all for me. Our facials, our tours, the food, and a BC powder delivered on a silver platter. I didn’t lift a little finger. I don’t remember pouring myself a single glass of wine. (or 2 or 3 or 23… I don’t recall a lot, it happens!)
Prince John, Prince Mack, and Lady Kaley were incredible and effortlessly made many miracles happen magically!
You may (or not) be aware…I’m “almost” famous for my cheese wafers but also for being involved with organizing a few spectacular “girl trips” along the way (whereas I’m most commonly known for driving my ass off for a glass of wine) but this spellbound holiday took “girl trip” to a whole new level…this was designed for “already” famous people, not for nine old-school Florida gals, and ME!
We were called to gather at sunset only to find our table lavished in glowing white
candlelight that would make a bride blush with pride. A bounty of local flowers cascading the tabletops, sparkling glasses clanking while frisky tunes played somewhere in the background causing “a few of us” the need to show off our swag. But the most magical gift of all was laughter. Endless laughter, bottomless inside jokes (tootles asshole) and gratifying cheers! Yet some of the “stories/secrets” that had somehow remained buried deep throughout decades of intimate friendships trickled out…I dare say…fantasies… of Ed? (Ewww!!!!)
I will reflect on my trip to Tuscany forever. I will always remain homesick for my Lakeland friends, and I will be forever grateful for my sister and the call she made that day asking me if I wanted to go on a trip of a lifetime with her.
My hope is that I never stop going somewhere for a glass of wine…You are all worth it!
Sir John called us, a bunch of “well to do” ladies. I’ve never been called “well to do” before…and it’s not likely it will happen again, but I kinda like it…
I do it pretty well!
Summer camp…is in the cards!
I LOVE this Tracy! It is my dream to go to Tuscany! So glad you had a GREAT trip! My neighbor…my friend! I need to get on your book for some of those famous “Cheese Straws” for the Holidays!
I highly suggest you do a trip to Tuscany(I’ll go with you!) and I humbly suggest you get some cheese wafers for the holidays! All I need to know is when, and how many The good news is…both are obtainable! Love you neighbor!
Perfect! ❤️
Funny…I always have called Denise, “Miss Perfect”…in the most loving way, of course! But she is pretty close!
Very cool that you got to do this! I would agree that your sister is pretty close to perfect.
She is…She is my mentor and my best friend! (but it is more fun to be the “not so Perfect” one) I’m really proud to be her sister!
Tracy, You nailed it, perfect trip with great friends and a great time!!!!
Thanks Susie! I loved being with “the twins” so much! You and Julie made it so much fun, and I love having the “young girls” helping us…not that we need it. (hahaha)
One lucky whine ass girl with a sister who has a heart of gold! If the walls could talk!🤪I’m sure you are one of the well to do! 🍾🍸Each friend represents a world in us! Sisterhood of the Ya, Ya’s do Tuscany! Glad you enjoyed yourselves!
Drunk up, you’re behind! MEK quote! Love❤️
Repeat! Cheers again!
One lucky whine ass girl with a sister who has a heart of gold! If the walls could talk!🤪I’m sure you are one of the well to do! 🍾🍸Each friend represents a world in us! Sisterhood of the Ya, Ya’s do Tuscany! Glad you enjoyed yourselves!
Drink up, you’re behind! MEK quote! Love❤️ I m
We did a great job accomplishing all the above!
I’m in love with this! 😍
Thank you, sweet Carolyn. You better be missing me!
Oh my! What a wonderful and heartfelt tale! It made me want to hear more! The best kinds of trips are ones that yoi go on with friends that you do not have to explain why something is funny. It all has to do with the history you have shared. What a blessing your sister must be to you!. I told Robin that we need to do this with some old friends. I may be calling for some info! Grand story, thanks for sharing your joy!
Thanks Sherry! Everything seemed like it was out of a movie…I kept waiting to hear “CUT”! I don’t miss a trip that involves good friends and mediocre wine! At this age…most of the cats are out of the bag!
Dreams do come true. Great read Tracy. Fond memories and friendship moments forever.
Let me know when the “Cheese Straw” truck comes to Florida.
Love you.
Sandy
Sandy, It was quite the “gift” of a lifetime. I’m always smiling when I’m with my Lakeland friends!! I can’t wait to see you again too! Miss you! I will gladly bring a truckload of cheese wafers next time I’m headed south!
P.S.: Is that Apple Juice or Champagne for breakfast ????
Apple WHAT??
Sounds amazing! I’m sure y’all were “discussed” behind your backs😅… but in a good way!😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎🤴🏻🤴🏻🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷
Charlotte, I always happy knowing someone is “discussing” me…not to be confused with disgusted! It’s hard being “cute” at 65…
I’m know you are enjoying the whine&cheese! Your sista has a heart of gold! Glad you could join the well to do! You fit right in with the Sisterhood of the Ya-Ya’’s! Drink up you’re behind as your bro would say! Love you two!💕
YOU ARE RIGHT! I loved the wine and cheese. My sister does have a heart of gold, and Mike…YOU may have had a hard time keeping up with your little sister! I drank up!
What a trip, what a story, and what a dream!
Most of us will never experience this life of the well to do. How fortunate you could! Keep the stories coming!!
Andrea, one of my all time favorite quotes is from “The Sound of Music” when Max said, “I love rich people, and I love my life when I’m with them”!
Thank you for my brief trip to Italy. On a Sunday evening it was perfect.
It was a perfect Sunday to reflect…It took me a while to recover, but boy was it worth it!
Oh my…I have to admit to extreme jealousy right now! It is not just about the trip of a lifetime but the close bond of high school friends. I keep up with none of mine nor they with me. What a precious blessing of friendship. I am sure I will read this many times because…it’s so darn good!!
Thanks Gilda! I am blessed to have some phenomenal friends! But on the flip side…once you drink wine with me…You are stuck with me forever! (and I started young!)
I totally loved reading about all the fun you girls had. What a trip, but any trip with Denise is going to be fun!! You wrote it up so very well! Thanks for sharing!😘
Carole, SO TRUE! Traveling with Denise is always a hilarious adventure. She takes very good care of me. She is the best!
(She is still the boss of me though)
Perfection, mom! Love this one!!
As long as I have “a trip” on the calendar I’m a happy Mom, but nothing could make me happier than sharing a Mother-Daughter trip with you!
Happening soon…I can’t wait!
Oh my , Tracy, you said it all!! It was the girls trip of a lifetime and the love and laughter shared were as nourishing for the spirit as the feast every evening was for the body. With body and soul refreshed, I’ll cherish these memories for a lifetime❤️❤️ Love to all
I loved being with you so much Cathy. I can’t wait to see where our next adventure will take us…even it’s just getting together for a glass of cheer in Lakeland…I cherish every memory…(especially from here on out!!!!) We are lucky girls!
Really enjoyed your blog Tracy! And I do have to admit Denise is a pretty perfect person. I enjoy traveling so much I must take this trip! Unfortunately my soulmate is 15 years younger and still working at Publix after 32 years. Will get there soon I just told him don’t let it be that I’m so old I can’t walk around! We actually have just gotten back from a couple of vacations and I like yourself, love to travel. Really enjoyed your blog again girl !
Renee…I could not agree more…It is time to get our “fun” ON! Too old to postpone the good times!
You said it all so well Tracy – loved this blog – I feel so blessed to have had this awesome trip with all of you – everything planned was perfect – but I think John mentioned something about us remembering events of 60 years ago and he was kind of surprised by that – how blessed we are to have had this time together to share those memories – you just captured it perfectly !!! Much love ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Peggy
Hi Peggy! I think ONE of the many things that made this particular group so special is that we were ALL friends, but also so many of us were with family. It’s just so rare to have sisters, Mother and daughters, and old wonderful friends all wrapped up into a bundle of fun! Let’s make this happen again!