Refreshed.

I just read the blog of someone that I know from high school.  It's not somebody I was incredibly close to, nor am I incredibly close to now.  She was sharing good news on her blog.  And I was so happy for her.  Everyone was so happy for her.

And then it clicked.

I've been having a pity party for a little while.  I miss my friends.  I'd say it is the #2 thing I hate about growing up (#1 is bills).  I hate that everyone is in a different part of the country (at least we are all on the same continent at the moment).  I hate that I am terrible at keeping up with friends.  I hate that I cop out with text messages (let's be honest, it's not a real conversation, no matter how much I tell myself it is).  I hate that some of my best girl friends have moved away from me.  And maybe I hate that I haven't moved too. 

What do I love?  That with almost all of my true, honest to God, best friends (yes, that's plural, because I consider a handful of gals my best friends) I can pick up where I left off with them and it is right.  But I take advantage of that.  I take advantage of the comfort of knowing that I have the luxury of knowing they'll be there when I make time. 

I don't like talking on the phone.  But I love talking.  When it comes to my friends, I want to talk about the everyday crap that happens, but I feel like if I'm talking to someone I haven't talked to in a while, there's so much other stuff to talk about and get caught up on first.   So I've decided to blog.  I need to gab about the everyday crap and sometimes it's more than is appropriate for a Facebook status.  Then maybe I will have more time for the nitty gritty with my friends.  It makes sense in my head.  Just roll with it.

Speaking of friends, I had a pretty great weekend with two of them.  It took scheduling, traveling and booking a hotel to make it all happen, but we did.  And I want to make it more regular (in different locations so one of the friends gripes less...you know who you are).  We didn't do anything of any great significance.  We talked.  We ate.  We shopped a little.  We connected.  And on the drive there?  I appreciated the solitude.  I listened to the music I wanted to without compromising (it was Dixie Chicks on shuffle if you are wondering).  I love my little life, but shaking it up and doing something completely selfish now and again is nice.

So after a weekend with friends, gossip, food, drink, and giggling about whistling (it just got me tickled!), I feel refreshed.  I'm reminded that I have great friends.  I'm reminded that I have friends that will always be my friends.  But more importantly, it reminded me that I have to make the effort to stay connected to my friends, because it is good for me. 

And in case you are wondering, we probably talked about you.