That's What Friends Are For

I've been thinking a lot about friendship lately. I found out last week that one of my closest girlfriends is moving 5 hours away. I always knew that it was a possiblity, but I was completely unprepared for the heartbreak of having it come true. I never had thought of the magnitude of what her absence in my daily life would mean. It sucks. Her leaving in a few short months is now the backdrop for every phone call, every lunch date, every time we see each other in carpool line. Did I mention it sucks? Then there's the heartbreak of not just my own friendship, but my children's. The President cried and said, "He can't go...he's my BEST FRIEND!!!!!" I can't really tell him that it doesn't suck...because it does.

I am actually quite experienced in the long-distance friendship thing. I met my best friend in the 9th grade, when she moved to the small town where I had lived all my life. Our houses were a short walk or bike ride apart, and we became inseperable almost immediately. At the end of that year, her family had to move again with her dad's job. To another state. It sucked. We stayed in touch and wrote, called, and visited each other. Over the years (more than 20!) we have actually grown closer, and now talk several times a week, and see each other a couple of times a year. I've been thinking about friendship because next Friday, she is coming here for a visit with no husband and no children (she has four)! My Baby's Daddy will be on the clock so that I can have a break & act like a teenager again. On Friday night, she will get to meet all my local girlfriends as we start our Bunco group back up after a year's hiatus.

All these old friends, leaving friends, wonderful, fun and much-needed friends on my mind, and then I got this:




Janet is someone I would definitely call a friend. Even though many miles separate us, our paths crossed through our blogs. We don't e-mail or talk every day or even once a month. We've never met in person. But she is my friend. She showed caring and support during one of the darkest times of my life. I just knew she was there, and was pulling for me. I've not been posting very regularly lately, but almost every time I can count on a comment from her. (She unfortunately can't say the same of me....) She's my friend, and she gave me this cool award.

Okay, that's enough! I'm the goofy and (sometimes hopefully) funny Southern Friend Mom. I talk about my sassy kids & my neurotic tendencies....this is getting way too mushy for my comfort zone. Go give your friend a hug!

What's New in the New Year?

My attitude, for one! 2007 was really difficult for me. A lot of stuff happened, and a lot more happened that I did not even begin to address on the blog. Maybe someday, but not now. Bottom line is, sometimes blessings don't come easy. I've been given a lot of responsibilities, and like most women, I completely neglected to take care of myself. I'm sure that it showed by the end of the year.

Knowing I had to do something, I've started the new year off making myself a priority. I started back to Weight Watchers (lost 4.5 pounds last week!), going to the gym at least three times a week, and taking a little time off every now and then. I've been able to ask for help (which is completely out of character) and accept help when it's been offered (even more out of character). If I'm falling apart, I'm no good to anyone else. When I get totally hawt, I'm sure I won't be able to resist posting a picture. I lost 60 pounds after Fat Baby was born on WW, so I'm pretty confident in my ability to follow the program.

The new year finds us on a pretty tight schedule. I don't mind too much, because I really function better with maximum structure. Fat Baby is in preschool three days a week (hooray for preschool!). The President is taking karate two nights a week, and I have Weight Watchers one of those nights. I am working in the grant office one day a week (and occasionally more as needed). My dad & I are going to the gym together a couple of times each week, as well. My Baby's Daddy has his regular, full-time sales job and a evening/ week-end real estate job that is his passion. And we all sit down to a healthy, homecooked meal together every night except Thursday. (I am totally not kidding about that--it is very important to me...and Pop helps with the cooking sometimes).

I'll leave you (breaking my last-year rule of no kid pictures) with this image of our last day of Christmas vacation. It goes without saying that Fat Baby was ready for some structure, too!