When you’re a work-at-home (or stay-at-home) mom it’s so easy to feel isolated. Hubby gets out of the house each day and goes to work. Sometimes you’re so busy that you don’t get a chance to leave. Or it can just be too big of an effort at times – especially when it takes you 30 minutes just to get out the door (we live on the 2nd floor and it’s not like I can just pop the kid in the car & run back inside the house if I forget something – so I have to make sure I remember everything in one trip & it can be exhausting).
I admit it – I’m a homebody. I can stay home for several days without really doing more than going to the store to pick up a couple of things. And when I do go out, it’s usually somewhere close: the bookstore, the library, or a coffee shop, none of which are more than five minutes away. I just don’t like getting very far away from home.
And that has prevented me from going to a local girl’s night out – until this evening. About 20 friends from Twitter got together tonight at a restaurant in Hillcrest, called Terra. A couple of the ladies arranged a tasting menu for all of us. It was so very good. The food was outstanding, as was the service. The chef came and spoke to us, letting us know about some of his work locally with schools and sustainable food.
I’ve seen this particular group of ladies two or three times now and the more I see them, the more I like them.
I have lamented – many times, to my husband’s chagrin – that I just don’t have enough girlfriends anymore. Since I left my previous job, it has been so much harder to meet other women. Especially fun, smart, savvy women who understand my love for social networking, blogging, and tech toys. But I think I have found them. They get me and my strange obsessions. We love food. And fun. And lots of laughter.
I think I’m going to fit right in with these ladies. And nights out like this are exactly what I needed.
Please note: Names have been changed to protect the guilty.
Me: [had a problem that required some expertise well above my abilities] i may be calling for backup.
Her: np
Her: happy to help if needed
Me: thanks. i figured i could call the calvary if needed.
Her: note to self: get horse
Me: hahahaha – you just reminded me of a “Bones” episode we saw last night [rerun] that involved role playing w/ men pretending to be horses. it was STRANGE.
Her: the longer i go without watching television, the more it confuses me
Me: dude. they were dressed up in fetish gear pretending to be horses. and the women were “trainers” or something. i’d never seen that episode before.
Her: i didn’t need to know any of that
Me: sometimes, in order to help with healing, you have to share these things.
Her: good save
It’s been a while since I did a “Gratitude in my Attitude” post. And with it being November, I think it’s time. Right this moment, I am grateful for:
- My husband. He came home & pitched in with dishes when he saw me at the sink. And he fixed lunch. He helps with diapers. And bathtime. He is so kind to me when I’m not feeling well. And so much more.
- My son’s laugh. Earlier tonight I was teasing him. I tickle and kiss him on the neck, he throws his head back and laughs with abandon. I’ve said it before, but that laugh rights so many wrongs.
- Old friends. My BFF has been here, but has been working. I haven’t gotten to see her as much as I’d like (due to illness. ugh.) — but even seeing her for a little while is good.
- New friends. Went over to a new friend’s house for a craft party. We made cards and other things, chatted, had some food & drinks, and a good time. And she didn’t even make fun of me when I got the time wrong and showed up a little early. Instead, she put me to work. Right on! I think we’ll get along just fine.
- The interwebs. I have found people that I lost track of long ago, mostly due to Facebook. People I’ve wondered what happened to, hoped they were doing well, and wished I could just tell them that I have good memories of the time we knew each other. I even found my former pen pal, by accident. That is why I totally love the internet.
Your turn. What are you grateful for right now?
You know what I love?
Spontaneous chat sessions with friends that turn into a bit of a therapy session. I really needed that.
I seriously love my friends.
I got an unexpected phone call from a friend recently. It was a delightful surprise to see her name pop up on my phone. There are certain people in your life that you never really expect to be friends with. And some small circumstance throws you together, something of chance, and you find an amazing person there waiting for you.
Seeing this person’s name never fails to cheer me. I always look forward to talking to her, and I have a feeling we could talk about writing, books, movies, and all sorts of things for days on end. She is wise, warm and a true treasure to my heart.
I have been so lucky to find some pretty amazing girlfriends in my life. Women who are genuinely caring, uplifting and supportive. Friends who put a smile on my face when I just think about them. I can think of several of them right now and I feel incredibly lucky that I can name more than one or two. I am so fortunate that these women have crossed my path and somehow stumbled into my life and stayed there. They encourage me when I need it. Prop me up when I fall. And wipe my tears when I think I just can’t go on.
I don’t tell my girlfriends often enough how much they truly mean to me. But by gosh, I aim to do it now.
