PART 2

The Catholic Fressing: May 17,2003
And Other Zanies

For your info:

• Dutch interpretation: The word Fressing means pigging out, or eating way too much.
• The word goxing means gossiping or playfully speaking.
• Before Vatican II, Catholicism was filled with rules. We didn’t eat meat on Fridays.

I’m Bored!!!!! Living in a household of all men, can make the single woman feel unappreciated and often CRA!CRA!! When there’s a family vote over any issue, I usually lose…talk about feeling invisible!

It’s mid May, all of the crops should be planted by now. However, there’s not a seed in the ground. It’s cold and rainy. I’m ready to build an Arc. Collecting animals two by two seems nasty to me.

In 30 years of marriage, I’ve never milked a cow. He’s the farmer. I’m the teacher. I just put in a full week at school. I’m ready to play.

Tom is milking. I’m the invisible wife. It’s Friday. It’s rainy….AND I’m BORED!

“Granny always said, ”The Lord will provide!” Yes Lord, it’s A-OK with my man….START DIALING!

The answering machine picks up ….”Hello, you have reached the Rabers.” I respond with my opera voice, “HELLLOOOO Gracie, this is Faithie… Pick up the phone!”

The hilarious voice on the other end responds, “ GIRLFRIEND YOU ARE THE BEST!” After discussing the events of the day, she was committed to staying at home, yet we needed to be together. It was one of those homebody days for her. She hadn’t showered Her husband was working late. So the GIRLFRIEND PARTY was about to begin.

“Oh, Girlfriend!” “You get the ice cream and the fixings for chocolate malts.” “I’ll make the grilled cheese!” “We are going to have a Catholic Fressing! LOLOL!” “Of course we will be doing quite a bit of Goxing, as well.” “See Ya in a few.”

“God, thank you for my friends, ”I stated, as I drove the Amish 500(rt. 42 Plain City, Ohio). I arrived at her farm, dodging torrents of rain. Neither rain nor snow can keep me from a Girlfriend Party.

Oh by the way, I forgot to add a very important God-thing. God brought together two young girls, who were raised with strict religious rules.

Gracie was raised in Souderton, Penn. in a Mennonite Community. She now attends a nondenominational church, Columbus, Vineyard.

I am a born again, Bible–fed Catholic. Raised in 50-60s era in Cincinnati. Catholicism was a hotbed of rules and regulations. Before Vatican II, Catholics didn’t eat meat on Fridays. Therefore, grilled cheese and fish compromised our diets on that day.

The comedy and humor the two of us create, is credited to the Holy Spirit. It was His plan that brought the two of us together.

As I pulled into the Raber Farm, I was greeted by Ritz and Pokey-Meister, the two, white Huskies. I knew that Gracie would be waiting for me at the door with hugs, and plans for the evening. As I ascended the steps, the door opened. She was a vision of loveliness.

There stood Gracie, a vision to behold, wearing the following:
*Sweatpants and a Jonathan Alder Sweatshirt
*Pioneer Racoon Hat
*Fluffy Lady Bug Slippers
*Big Red Wax Lips
*Holding Lil Gracie Bear- a Build a Bear that we made together- who was also wearing a raccoon hat.

Talk about a need for depends; I was laughing so hard, that I cried. “If I knew that we were going to dress for dinner, I would have accommodated you.”

What a blessing to have women friends! Especially when you have workaholic husbands.

Yes, we are two crazies who create fun. However, it’s not always about us. There was a group of us that went for a week to Myrtle Beach.

In June of 03, we headed south. Seven of us in a two-car caravan; the highways and byways of KY, Tennessee, and Ga. will never be the same.

We’d be driving down the freeway: some of us wearing our Big, Red, Wax Lips…you bet….acting silly.

Tigger is our mascot, because he bounces and is always happy. You have to “Bouth though life like a Tigger, if you want to survive.”

The first night on the road, we spent in Ga. As we wheeled our luggage rack to our adjoining rooms, my big, stuffed Tigger was on the top of the luggage, leading the way.

After dinner, we returned to our rooms for a few cocktails, cards, and girlfriend talk. Five of the seven of us were raised Catholic, and have a deep devotion to our rosary and the Blessed Mother.

Respectfully, yet playfully while playing cards, I said the following as, my team was losing: “Oh Blessed Mary help us!”

Gracie jumped up, wrapped herself in a curtain, to make herself look as if she were wearing a tunic and a veil. “I am the Blethththed Girlfriend!” “Never fear!” “I have the winning hand!”

OK…..You had to be there. Nevertheless, all of us melted in laughter upon the pillows.

That week there was lots of good conversation, laughter, hugs, food, swimming, sun burns, and shopping. Speaking of shopping: we all bought long tunics with hot bikini bodies on them. As we walked in a line along the beach, it looked as if seven hot toddies were coming towards you.

Gracie and I had to leave on Wed. about 5 a.m. We had to get home earlier than the rest.

Whenever we traveled football, we always stopped at a Cracker Barrel. So for the fun of it, during our 14 hr. drive, we stopped at four Cracker Barrels along the way.

Work is hard. Raising kids is hard. Marriage has its ups and downs. However, the love and laughter of my Girl Squad/Bible Study Group, helps to lighten my load.

HEAVENLY FATHER: Thank you for the gift of Women Friends. Granny’s wisdom taught me many things. However, one of the greatest lessons she ever taught me was the following: “Encourage the richness of friends.” May all women realize, that true friendship uplifts their souls’.
I Jesus Name I pray. Amen

Sue Cutler
Fearless Faith