Lydia Parker prepares to host the monthly Bunco game in her home right before Christmas. Several women in the group refuse to let a paralyzing ice storm keep them away from having their "girl's night out" and gather to share laughter, stories, and the struggles in their daily lives. Lydia happily envisions spending her thirtieth anniversary with her husband in Italy, but gets an unfortunate surprise. Alex's youngest child heads off to college and compels her to redesign her life. Childless Patti-Anne battles prolonged depression and a stodgy husband. Kara and Melanie, young mothers raising their small children, are confronted with unexpected challenges. One, an ugly divorce, and the other an absentee husband with a trunk full of unconvincing excuses. A complaining Sharon Kay suppresses a hostile relationship with her husband and decides after seventeen years of marriage to turn things upside down. Not all these women are close friends, but in the course of a year, they develop a deep, supportive friendship with each other. After all, life is messy, and it's the messy parts that force change and stimulate the most growth.