Gaston Women's Expo

Gaston Women's Expo ("Gladys Friday" will be there)

Saturday, October 17, 2009

10 am til 4 pm

LOTS of vendors, physicians, businesses, women's health education, shopping, music, dance, panel of successful women, banking, fashion, make-up, hair and much more.

"Your UnderWARE is showing!" (what's on your inside?)

Presented by Denise Price Thomas @ 11 am

"Health, Hope & Humor"

Presented by "Gladys Friday" aka Denise Price Thomas @ 3:30

Join in ~

Bring a friend ~

See you then ~

"Gladys Friday" crosses the line......

Well, she did it! She crossed the line......lots of lines, state lines that is. "Gladys Friday", Denise along with her grandson Jordan and friend Gayle.....left for the state of Massachusetts last Saturday for speaking engagements. We had a great trip and met many wonderful people. Please allow me to fill you in on the fun:

We flew in to Boston and learned shortly after that my luggage had been checked by TSA. They left me a nice little note saying they had been there. I would have LOVED to have had a camera rolling when they FOUND "GLADYS" in my suitcase!!! Think about it, a nurse's white two piece DRESS UNIFORM, white pantyhose, white "stuffing," large white nurses shoes, a stethoscope from the 6o's, a clipboard and chart, bifocals, gray wig (only her hairdresser 'Anne' knew for sure) and a bag of TOOTSIE ROLLS (aka snuff) Ya just can't hide CLASS! Doesn't it make you wonder what must have been going through their minds?

In Boston, we rode the bus, the subway, the taxi, the shuttle, the van and THE DUCK TOUR! AWESOME.......visited lots of Massachusetts history on land and then into the water the amphibious vehicle goes...into ~ The Charles River ~ truly awesome with the sunshine reflecting upon the water on a 70* day and the leaves on the trees were beginning to change. It was breathtaking! We also learned that these amphibious vehicles were built and used in Normandy.......and that WOMEN built them because the men were away. So THAT'S why they are still working so well, don't ya think ladies?

We took a taxi for our retail therapy session. I asked "May I please ride up front, I sometimes have motion sickness" and the taxi driver said, "Yes, but you can't play with my knee" and Gayle from the back seat says...."YOU WISH" As I am buckling up in the front seat, I said, "So, how are YOU?" and he said "YEW, I'm not a SHEEP!?!?!" We called him back to pick us up from our retail therapy, it was love at first sight! He thought I had the accent, what's up with THAT? I quickly informed him that we were proud to be from North CAROLIIIIIINA.

The back to back presentations / performances (Denise & Gladys) went very well and the audiences loved the Southern Drawl. The New England Quality Care Alliance Fall Forum was held at Lombardo's, where we met new friends who are physicians, nurses and many other very important members of the healthcare team, event planners and vendors. A couple vendors didn't quite know whether "Gladys" was real......they just kinda looked......and looked again. You KNOW I had fun with that. I just went right along with it like "Gladys" was for REAL and she IS. One physician told me that "Gladys" reminded him of his nurse from Alabama. So taking it as a compliment, "Gladys" took a dip and then she thanked him. He also said how proud he was of his new whoopee cushion that she gave him. He needed a new one, he said. He had a "blow-out!"

Many thanks to Jordan ~ grandson / cameraman who will soon compose a mini-movie for the website and to Gayle for stuffing papers and stuffing "Gladys" preparing her for her performances while we each STUFFED ourselves with BOSTON CREMES. Pretty soon Gladys will not need any STUFFING! She's making her own. Having Jordan and Gayle along was wonderful!!!!

We found a DELICIOUS Italian restaurant (my favorite) named "Lascala's" where we became "regulars" in only 3 days.

Then off to the airport again. On Wednesday morning, we left the hotel at 8:30 am, we arrived in Charlotte at 1:30 pm, got in the car and drove straight to Asheville for more back to back presentations / performances starting Thursday at 9 am. Denise & "Gladys" spoke for the Allergy Partners Corporate meeting which was held at The Double Tree Hotel in Asheville, another beautiful place. Great group of physicians, nurses, and other important healthcare leaders from many states. Denise & "Gladys" had fun all over again. One nurse kept looking everywhere for her "bag of P-CANS" she said, so "Gladys" tried to help her.....looking for a bag of urinals......only to learn the lady was from the north and was really looking for "PEE-CONS"

We completed the day with lunch on the veranda of The Grove Park Inn, outside where the sun was shining and the leaves were turning. I tried my best to catch just one leaf as it turned, the magic of our Creator never ceases to amaze me. How Great Thou Art!

It was a GREAT experience! We traveled over 1500 miles in 5 days, met many wonderful people = brand new friends. We have now clicked our heels (yes, mine are red patent) and we are safely home. Someone asked me, "do you were heels every day?" and I said "only when I'm awake!"

Counting my blessings.....still counting. I'm "Gladys Friday" aren't you? Enjoy your weekend.

Hugs to go ~ ~

"Brand New Mommy"

I enjoyed seeing so many Breast Cancer Survivors and friends last night at the "Breast Cancer Awareness Kick Off Event" on the lawn of Gaston Memorial Hospital. What a wonderful night! Thank you for allowing me to participate.

RX: One large dose of humor while healing ~ to be taken PRN

When I was a brand new Mommy, having my first beautiful baby girl.....I didn't know much about "Mommy~Hood" but couldn't wait to play with her, dress her up and show her off. The day after her delivery, while recovering in the "ward" along with 7 others, the "Sergeant Nurse" (BIG STRONG MILITARY voice) entered my room with a big needle. She said "roll over, I need to give you a shot!" (wonderful compassion-real early in the morning) Being the young Mommy that I was, I asked "What's the shot for?" and she said "it's to dry up your milk!" and I responded....."I haven't had anything at all to drink"......she rolled her eyes and with a big sigh, gave me the shot anyway.....along with that wonderful dose of compassion.

Denise Price Thomas & "Gladys Friday" are flying to Massachusetts tomorrow for "their" presentations for New England Quality Care Alliance. Nice that we can share one seat on the plane, one ticket for two speakers!

"They" will fly home, drive to Asheville, NC ~ same day ~ and present to the Allergy Partners of the Piedmont the following day.

"We" are looking forward to the events!

Denise Price Thomas aka Gladys Friday ~ Healthcare Comedienne

www.denisepricethomas.com

"Lesson for Mommy"

A lady at church began to nurse her baby. A little boy walked over and looked at her, looked at the baby and after thinking for a moment said, "You know, my Mommy has some of those too, but I don't think she knows how to use them yet."

I'm "Gladys Friday" aren't you? Enjoy your weekend and remember to LAUGH!

Denise Price Thomas and "Gladys Friday" will be presenting:

October 1, 2009

Breast Cancer Awareness Event

Gaston Memorial Hospital Lawn

October 6, 2009

New England Quality Healthcare Alliance

Randolph, Massachusetts

October 8, 2009

Allergy Partners of the Piedmont

Asheville, NC

October 17, 2009

Women's Expo

The Gem / Ashley

Gastonia, NC

www.denisepricethomas.com

Almost out to lunch

I was working at my desk this week, trying to catch up on a lot of things. I needed some peace and quiet.....so I asked my assistant to place the DND (Do Not Disturb) sign on my door which I had pulled slightly closed.

Well, I began eating my lunch, catching up on my work when all of a sudden, I found myself choking on my sandwich.....I COULD NOT BREATHE! I leeped from the desk, flung open the door, began frantically waving my arms and everyone just kept walking down the hallway as if they didn't even see me. I couldn't yell, I couldn't speak, it was HORRIBLE! I threw myself over the back of my chair and after a couple minutes (that seemed like an eternity), I finally was able to catch my breath.

After doing so, I walked over to the staff, asked why no one would stop and try to help me......after all, we are IN healthCARE. They just looked at me and said, "because of the sign on your door......we thought it was a drill". It seems that my assistant had "accidentally" placed the DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) sign on my door.

It's just great to work in healthcare! Never a dull moment.

I'm always "Gladys Friday"... aren't you?

Gladys Friday will be speaking (along with Denise Price Thomas):

October 1 - Gaston Memorial Hospital - Breast Cancer Awareness Event

October 6 - New England Quality Health Alliance - Massachusetts

October 8 - Allergy Partners of the Piedmont - Asheville

October 17 - Gaston Women's Expo - The Gem - Gastonia, NC

and more.......

www.denisepricethomas.com

"Taking Aleve"

An elderly man came in the doctor's office this week and was complaining of back pain. After a thorough examination by the physician, the doctor asked, "Can you take Aleve?" The elderly man thought for awhile and then said, "Well, they will probably let me off for a short while anyway."

I'm "Gladys Friday" today, aren't you? enJOY your day!

"Gladys Friday" is speaking:

Breast Cancer Awareness Event, Gaston Memorial Hospital, October 1, 2009

New England Quality Care Alliance, Massachusetts, October 6, 2009

Gaston Women's Expo, October 17, 2009

www.denisepricethomas.com

"A Trip Down Memory Lane"

My friend, GG is so wonderfully thoughtful! She invited "Gladys" to take a trip down Memory Lane to Columbia, SC with her. She said we would visit her hometown, see where she grew up, the first house that her family built, visit her high school and have lunch with her high school friends, one of which owned the upscale restaurant where we would all be meeting for lunch. It was a Steel Magnolia kind of day.....but no one died....which was a much better ending! The town had wonderful trees, historic homes, sidewalks with people walking, smiling and enjoying life. It was great!

Her friends were wonderful! Diane, from "Diane's on Divine"(the nice upscale restaurant) wasn't on Divine, she was working in her Deli instead so I didn't get to meet her. I did meet Mimi, owner of the local newspaper (that wanted my frilly blouse - it was love at first site), Betty, retired from Texaco, Sylvia, retired nurse, Anne, a retired realtor, Wanda, best friend from elementary, Kay, retired from Columbia College and is a realtor now and Carrie Ann, with that sweet smile at the end of the table.....the quiet one. Nice to meet you ALL!

Afterwards, we went shopping at Chico's and then by the church where GG and Joel were married. "Gladys Friday" was very excited! It was a great day.

So, "Gladys," wanting to return the favor, invited GG to take a trip down HER Memory Lane the following week. We went by the first and only house that "Gladys" lived in until she was married (at age 16). We went through the neighborhood (keeping doors LOCKED) where "Gladys" picked up her best friend to "drag Shoney's." We had lunch at The Little Barn where we split a corn dog.....with mustard and sat out under the oak tree, swatting flies, making memories. We went shopping at The Family Dollar where my best friend from high school had given "Gladys" her family discount so she was able to furnish her first house (at age 16). We then went by "Gladys" high school which now has a 10 foot fence with barbed wire around the top of it and "Gladys" took Gayle by the bleachers to show her where she "got her FIRST kiss"!!!!!!! The same bleachers where her daughter, a year later stood, clapped and cheered as she watched "Gladys" (her Mommy) graduate!!!! "Gladys" was SO PROUD to see her sweet little smiling face. Now that's some "show and tell." Ain't life just grand?

I'm "Gladys Friday" today, aren't you?