Girls Night

Everyone needs to get together with friends.

I especially am a fan of Guys Night and Girls Night out. 
My Hubby and I always realized how important it is for us to be individuals and to enjoy friendships outside of our marriage. 
Hmm.. that sounded strange. What I mean is to get out with friends without spouses.

Hubby works way to hard and way to many hours. He always has. Giving him a night out with guy friends is a rare but necessary step for his sanity.  When the girls were young, he went on a yearly Ski Trip with guy friends, that totally re-amped him. Later, he would jump on the Harley and go for a ride with a friend. Sometimes it's just grabbing a bite with a buddy.

For me~ I use to take a yearly trip with Besties, Have a Margarita night once and a while, and a favorite night out for me was BUNCO (which I have written about HERE ). Lately though, I am embracing girl friends and making every effect to spend more time with those who make me smile.

Mary, Bev, Maureen, Lee, Leslie, Me, Julie, Lisa, Norma

Last night I was Blessed to join some dear friends for a lovely evening.
I sent a message out to 20 girlfriends for a dinner get together and was pleasantly surprised that half were able to make it out on a Monday evening. (Julie L is missing from photo). The above photo shows you some of my high school classmates of the class of 1980. It was a joyous evening of laughter & random conversations all going at the same time. 

♥The clatter of friendship. 

It was heavenly♥ 

Part of the wonderful thing about this group of woman, is that even though we went to school together, and all knew each other, we did not "run" together in the same cliques. I considered them all friends, however, there were different points in my life that I was closer to one or the other over those years. Some I have been blessed with knowing well and not losing touch over the years. And some I hadn't seen in twenty-some years. Yet, we all picked up like it was yesterday. No awkward pause... no regrets...no tears. Just a bunch of belly laughs and even some gentle loving advice. Some have been widowed, some divorced, some celebrating 20-31 years of marriage. Some have children, some do not. But we all share a common love and desire to have girlfriends.

Life is short and unexpected. I have had too many things pull me down or knock me over. I am learning, you get what you get... make the best of it.  There is no time to waste feeling sorry or second guessing.  For me, I am going to grasp the golden ring, I am going to enjoy.

Pretty Princess and the Last Prom

Today, I had the joy of hanging with my beautiful daughter, preparing her for her Senior prom. We had Mani-pedi's at the nearby "Lovely Nails". Went to "Saks Fifth Ave", for the Bobby Brown make up. Had her hair styled by the wonderful Lindsey in Broad Ripple. Then home to throw "the dress & shoes" on. And out the door for pictures.

First stop was
"Seros" Annie's restaurant. She and friend, Haley, met with co-workers to show off their dresses. Annie has been blessed to work there for a couple of years now and they are so good to her. The owners will be so disappointed they missed Annie & Haley.

Next stop was Nathans. Annie's boyfriend. Why didn't they go together you are wondering? Well, Annie & Nathan have gone to two previous proms together. Also, this is "Little Five" (big party weekend & bike race @ Indiana University) Annie wanted to let Nathan be freed up to go visit his buddies for the event. Nathan ended up having an opportunity to work for his family business. They own a Banquet Hall and were hosting another High School Prom. Nathan was DJ'ing it. A chance to earn money! A must for all college students. And third, Annie wanted to go with a group of friends, her "date" has been one of her best friends for many years. He also was her partner in Fall Homecoming. Sean is kindof her Richie. She is fortunate to have a wonderful trusting boyfriend. Nathan & Annie have a strong relationship. Prom is just a High School dance.

That brings us to Sean's for the first two photos. Gorgeous group, huh?
My Annie was able to wear 4" heels, and that dress... Isn't it the prettiest dress you ever saw? She fit it perfect, her coloring, her figure. The back was as pretty as the front. Oh my Goodness! I never looked like that!!!

She will enjoy this sweet parting, if you will, the growing up and a little bit of a goodbye to her high school friends. In just a few weeks they will graduate and part ways.

My princess will have a wonderful evening. I love her so much.

Photo of Youth

Ha Ha! I just found this photo from 1979. That is Kim, Janna, Elaine, Me, & Delphine. We were on a Student Council trip and just being silly. I think the funniest thing about the picture is my leg. It is freakishly longer than the others.

This particular weekend we were in Highland, Indiana. Although two of my Besties were not in the same Host house with me (Lynn was but she was always the photographer, I think to avoid photos), we still hung out together and had a ball. My Student Council was a weird little haven for me. I cherish these memories. I also would like to think that we made a little difference in some way. We all meshed well. We were a good blend, especially my Junior and Senior years.

Annie and Emily both enjoyed Student Council as well. I think that it is a wonderful experience to learn about government and getting the voices of students heard.

Mrs Aman, Room 220 and my fellow SC's I miss. I also am grateful for the memories!

School Spirit

Annie's high school is celebrating Winter Homecoming this week. With that they have several spirit days through the week. There is "Hip Hop Tuesday", "All around the World Wednesday", "Decades Thursday", and "School Spirit Friday". Today was "Senior Citizen Monday". My Annie has no fear. Here she is, as "Carol", the Senior citizen.
She not only had a wig to enhance her looks, she used pillows for her wide rear end and tummy. She thickened and darkened her eyebrows and she had made a little "Life Alert" that hung around her neck. At one point she "fell" down a busy hallway very over-dramatically. Moaning the way down, then letting everyone know she was okay, she had her "Life Alert" on. She cracked up her friends and teachers all day. Many students didn't know what the heck was going on as many kids could care less about spirit days let alone school spirit. Annie was often the only student in a class that was participating in these events. She doesn't care. She is having a blast. Some of her friends are too fearful of embarrassment to take a chance and have fun with it. Annie loves to have fun.
I will try to post you with the rest of the week. Decades day she is wearing MY Floral jeans (didn't every girl have a pair in 1981?

Stupid FASFA Application

I finally finished the FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application. You have to use this to apply for student loans. Emily will be starting her Sophomore year at Ball State University in August.

I procrastinate and always seem to get it done at the last moment. A long time ago, I was one of those people that was always on time, even early for stuff like this. I don't know what happen.

Anyway, the application stresses you out like crazy. Thank you to Chris & Trina @ the FASFA hot line for your understanding and walking me through the scary parts. I will say they have the nicest people working for them. Very understanding and helpful. That alone is something to applaud. I wish all customer service was that nice.

After an hour online answering these financial questions (this is with a worksheet that I have been working on for a couple of days with all the data ready), I finally finished. In a few days, I will get an email telling us we do not qualify for financial aid, however will be processed for student loans. According to their calculations I should have $19,400 family contribution. HaHaHa. I wish I did have $19,000 to contribute then I wouldn't need to fill out these applications for Student loans. Besides letting me know I am a loser for not saving up for her college expense, it will inform us that Emily will qualify for a loan of around $3,000 at a low interest and will not have to repay till she finishes school. Then it will tell me that my Parent student loan, will be at a higher rate and I get to start paying that in about 6 months, on top of the one I am already paying for last year. :)

Trust me, if you have plans to have kids, start saving immediately. It will sneak up on you.

Annie has one more year of high school, then I will have two in college. Annie is at Butler this week for Yearbook camp. She will fall in love with this private university that cost 4 times what Ball State University cost and I will have a heart attack.