You Gotta' Have Friends.

For my birthday this past summer, two of my girlfriends up and kidnapped me. They took me away for an overnight, bought me supper, and paid for my very first pedicure. It was crazy fun, and they spoiled me rotten.

And then, we all had ourselves a lightbulb moment.

We said to ourselves - this needs to become a tradition...at least the eating out part, anyway. And we've got to at least keep the tradition up for the remainder of this year - at least for the other two girl's birthdays, to make it fair anyway.

At the very least, right? Right? Anyone?....

We're all about playing fair.

So, a couple of nights ago, we had ourselves another hot night on the town complete with a luscious dinner out and manicures for ourselves, this time. Again - a first for me. These girls know that I need me some culture, living in this world of men. So, we mixed it up. We're all about keeping things fresh.

I had to laugh when I was telling my girls at work why I needed my normal Tuesday night shift off. When they found out I was going out with some friends, they got all excited and asked about my preparation plans for the big evening out. New outfit? Hair extensions? Hot bubble bath first? And what color was I going to get my nails done in? Hot pink? Red? Purple with sparkles? Hello. Have you ever seen me trying to rock anything in hot pink?

Out of all of the days of the week, Tuesday was the only one that worked for all three of us, and Tuesdays are insanity for all of us, as well. One of the girls is in town all day - with all nine of her kids flying from co-op, to an appointment, to a music lesson. She met her husband to trade off children and vehicles and met us out there. My other girlfriend moves on Friday, so she spent the day tearing apart her apartment. And Tuesdays I babysit. So, I literally passed the baby off to her Mama, flung the boys in the car - pulling Ransom out of a dead sleep, dropped them off at Grammy's house, and was brushing my teeth on my way into town.

And that's when I noticed that I was wearing my absolute most favoritest jeans that I always wear around the house - but never out and about - because they have a highly inappropriate ginormous hole.

Ravishing, to be sure.

So, my beauty preparations? Um. Not so much.

We all arrived windblown and out of breath. We laughed at our day. The girls assured me no-one would notice my jeans, and the day of crazy was traded in for an evening with friends. It was good. So worth the rushing and tearing. Worth the sacrifice of time. And well worth a few hours of sleep lost on the flipside.

And, whilst my Lady Lovlies got sweet little flowers daintily sketched onto their fingers, this redneck over here went a different route. And, I am fully convinced that at least once in her life, a girl has got to go black.

A girly girl, I am not.
But the black nails? I'm kind of in love with...
And who ever said that I'm not in style?
They totally match my pupils....

* * * * * *
2452. Days of insanity traded in for evenings of fun.
2453. Rest and refueling with sisters.
2454. Sweet Brooke who pampered us three Mamas.
2455. 14 babies home with their Grammy's & Daddys.
2456. Grammys and Daddys who gave us nights on the town.
2457. Birthdays for celebrating.
2458. Food for inhaling...and eating while it's still hot.
2459. Desserts for savoring.
2460. Different ages. Different journeys. Different stages of life.
2461. Friends who love me anyway.