Old Friend, You are Missed

Hubby had his annual business trip to the valley, so we tagged along.

School's out for the summer and a change of scenery is always nice.

Plus I promised a hotel pool and a fancy shopping mall, always a plus.

I recently got a change of address card from my oldest and bestest friend from first grade.

She moved back to the CA valley after being away for 15 years.

I shot her an email and she was going to be around, perfect!

When I pulled into the driveway of her house, I saw her and my insides did a happy dance.

She was in tears of happiness.

It has been 10 years since our last quick visit. Her oldest and my middle were just babies.

She looked fabulous, as usual, she was always the hot one.

All the time that had come between us dissolved.

We caught up, we shared about the kids, typical mom stuff.

We talked about our parents, mine were with me, and it was like old times.

Yet, everything was different and so the same.

We promised to see eachother at a local wine event in the fall.

We left on more tears, hers.

I miss her already.

We grew up together, even lived together in college, were in eachother's weddings.

Life is so different now.

But we are only 3 hours apart.

That's doable.

I hope.

I didn't shed a tear on the visit.

My feelings process later, when I try to understand them.

I cry now for the happy memories, and the friendship I've missed.

And for wanting more but knowing it doesn't always work that way.

A Thousand Words Thursday on Friday

September, 2001 My Boy at 6 months old. He turns NINE next month. Oh to squish those chubby arms again! Maybe if he keeps eating multiple lunches at school, it will happen!


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Hope Your Hubby Brings Your Coat to the Airport!

Took a trip today to visit one of my oldest friends.

We've been pals since 5th grade, 25 years!!

Currently we've been 2 hours apart in distance, nothing when you think she'll now be 6 hours away by plane.

Missouri.

I'm so geographically challenged I had to look for it on the map to find it smack dab in the middle of the US.

It's 14 degrees there right now we concluded....and she packed her coat on the moving truck that left town with her Hubby last week.

Rut.roh.

She's been a California girl like I have her whole life. She's kinda in the "holy hell, what am I doing moving to the land of frigid winters, humid summers, fenceless backyards, and strangers?!"

On the way home I began my panic attack...a sympathy one for her.

She gets to fly out Tuesday with 3 kids in tow (one being a wiggly 2 year old) and super-extreme security, 2 hour layovers, and no Xanax.

I also took one of those for her.

Not to mention K screamed the whole way home at the top of her lungs, "I want to play DQ's Nintendo DS!"

Needless to say she fell into a tantrum-nap and my ears are still ringing a bit.

SIGH.

My heart hurts.

I know of late we'd only been a phone call away...., and we still will be, but Missouri isn't just a weekend jaunt.

Sometimes you think 2 hours by car is far, I am now regretting not getting together much, much more.

I remember 5th grade. It was those days when tweens could stay home alone for hours while their parents worked and it was no big whoop.

We didn't get into too much trouble then. Just spent hours watching MTV, crank calling "friends," and being silly.

Now we both have kids, and commitments that have to take us in the direction best for our families...hopefully not pulling us apart.

We've already planned to get to an Oprah show...ChiTown only being a 3 hour drive from her place.

And...get over to visit my friend G in Indy...where I just learned is nearly as close as Oprah (NOT a geography major i'm telling you).

So until my plane ticket is bought and we can head to the ...er..midwest...plan a trip to the Arch and a Cardinals' game, I wish you the best, friend.

Love ya, and good luck!

A Thousand Words Thursday

January, 2006 DQ Vanna White-ing all the pink baby things I got for a shower my best girlfriends threw me. Prior to K being in the world, honestly is so hard to remember. Was it quieter, less cute, or just not complete?

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A Thousand Memories Thursday

A few weeks back, Papa took the kiddoes fishin'.


One of Papa's favorite pasttimes.

A local-ish spot, one that I remember going to when I was around My Boy's age.

Only my story ended with a trip to the ER.

You see, the trail leading down to the water was rocky.

I fell and managed to get one of the said rocks wedged in my knee.

I remember the lollipop I got after I got stitched up.

Luckily, no one was hurt on this trip.

Just a long walk to reach the water.

Little rain is at fault for that.


My Boy and his cousin had a blast goofin' around and finally at the last hour, he decided to try his hand at the art of proper casting.

Our little girl, too had a blast exploring, throwing rocks in the water, and then tried to nab a fish or two.


The fish were not biting.

Maybe it was all the rock throwing.

And maybe it was because a little someone couldn't stay out of the water.

Shoes and all.

Scaring all the fish away.


No matter, memories were made and no blood was shed.

Maybe next time!


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Eleven.

Eleven years ago today I was in labor with my first child.

13 hours and not a clue if the baby would wear pink or blue upon leaving the hospital.

Neutral was the dominating color in the Noah's Ark bedroom closet.

The glider-rocker awaited many days and nights of bonding.

The crib was oblivious that it wouldn't see much action until 2.5 years later.

Our bed had no idea it was made for 3.

The recliner was about to embark on many midnight daddy-daughter snuggles.

Our stove top would soon find out how long it took to boil bottle nipples.

The walls in our house were about to echo newborn cries.

Our hearts were ready to be filled with love we never knew existed.

----
Today I'm am overwhelmed how fast the time has gone.

I have a beautiful, super-smart, almost-as-tall-as-I-am daughter who I couldn't be more proud of.

I look through scrapbooks of the memories of her first birthday, her first tooth, her first steps, her first day of school, her first best friend and weep a little.

A good healthy, love-filled weep.

Not only are her birthdays filled with presents, friends, slumber parties, cake, pizza, and all about her...

...they are a little about me too.

My memories, my aging, my growing up along side of her.

While I'm sure she loves getting older, I struggle to stop time and just hold on to these moments a little longer.

When we can snuggle on the couch, or share a laugh.

Because the next eleven will be here before you know it.

High school. College.

I can't go there.

Not now.

For now, we celebrate your birthday with a day off from school.

How many kids can say that?

For now, we'll eat pizza, cake, go mini-golfing and shopping like you wish for.

I love you my big girl!