Today started out normal enough, I started work, got some things done around the house, got things mostly ready for tomorrow’s yard sale, fingers crossed! added more mulch to the yard, it’s really starting to come along! If I could only really kill the dandelions, oh my word!

I have to tell you about the mulch I am using, it’s red (surprise) rubber mulch! It is made from recycled tires, if you look closely, you can actually see the tread! It has a guarantee of about 12 years and you don’t have to replace it, just turn it over every now and then. Looks good and I’m helping the environment by recycling, how cool is that! When I first put it down, it was about $7 per bag, today it was $4.97, so if you’re interested, go for it! I comes in red, brown and black.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Vigoro-0-8-cu-ft-Rubber-Mulch-in-Red-HDVRDMN8CB/203922303?N=bx4a#.Ual9Pcu9KSM

I finished about 4:45 and went in, got cleaned up and headed out to what I had been looking forward to all week! I have a friend, LK, who I have known since we were kids, our moms worked together way back when. Her dad was my French teacher in middle school, he and his wife laugh because the day he became my teacher, I stopped calling he and his wife by their first names, they became Mr & Mrs B, I haven’t been able to call them anything else! I was almost 30 and they said you know you can call us J and E, nope, can’t, sorry! So, here I am, almost 42, and I am still calling them Mr and Mrs B.

Our families spent holidays together, we loved going to their house to decorate the tree and celebrate Christmas, they would come over and celebrate Chanukah. We traveled together and as we got older, stayed in touch with each other. I went up to NYC when LK married AK at St Patrick’s Cathedral. When you’re catholic, where else do you get married! I got announcements each time her children were born, we stayed in touch.

LK went to grad school in Florida (please correct me if I’m wrong!) and met her husband, AK. They were living in Florida when AK’s work took him to Georgia, about eight years ago, lucky for me! I found out they were moving up here and I couldn’t wait to go and see them! I got to the door and we almost fell on the floor! We both thought our mothers were at the door!

They have three beautiful girls, all amazing athletes. The oldest, KK is 13 and is a fantastic softball player, can perfect almost any sport she plays. When she was younger, there was touch football, the boys didn’t want to play with her until they saw how good she was, then they fought over her to be on their team. When she was younger, she swam competitively, but not anymore, she still enjoys the water, but just for fun. There was lacrosse for a minute and basketball. She also has an amazing head for sports facts, you want to know something, ask her. I actually called her once from a hockey game to ask her what a hat check was!

JK is in the middle and still has the wonderful cherubic face as she did when she was little, great big smile always. She is a demon on the soccer field and is a champion swimmer! I have been at some of her meets and it amazes me every time, she excels at everything she does. She was even on teams with older kids because she is just that good! Tomorrow, there is a swim meet at Georgia Tech and then a soccer match in the afternoon! No wonder she was tired tonight! I remember for her 5th birthday, we had our claws and paws done, her first! And then she, her mom and grandmother, Mrs B for those of you not paying attention! All went out for formal tea with finger sandwiches and costumes!

KK is the youngest, I remember when she was born! Like her sisters, she is a star athlete. She’s tried a lot of different things, cheerleading, dance, but her real skill is swimming! I remember when she was a toddler, we too her to a water park and while the older two took their time getting in the water, she just jumped right in! No fear! I reminded her of the time her mom and I realized it was time to get rid of the crib; we went into her room to check on her and she was standing ON the crib! She has always been strong and fearless, all the while, still sweet, and loves her barbie dolls, I got to meet about 6 tonight! Thank you! She had braided all their hair, so she did mine too!

I got to the house and was greater by the dogs letting everyone know I was there! Divit came to the family a few years after they had moved here and after Jazz, LK’s sweet black lab passed, they added two sisters, Twinkie and Yoohoo, yes, you read that right! I also met their three hermit crabs, (I only remember Shaniqua and Lucy, sorry K!), with bright painted shells! They will never be homeless!

When I came in the door, I got the biggest hugs from the, even what was almost a hug from the oldest, KK. I have to kind of force her to hug me, sort of, pull her arms around my waist. I always told her its just easier to hug me than fight it! (I always feel like my mom when I say that!) I think it’s just our thing, the whole time she’s saying “I don’t hug” and I told her I didn’t care!

The hugs were great, from the girls and from LK and AK. It is always so warm and loving at their house. It was like a security blanket for me during some very rough times. My favorite thing all night, well, there are so many…hearing my name, Aunt J, look at this, Aunt J, check this out. I love those girls, I always have and always will refer to them as…my girls.

When the girls were little, I would see the family at least once a month, if not more, but it’s been hard these last two years for us to get together, either I’m on the road for work or they are on the road for a traveling team tournament, but one thing is, we are never far from each others thoughts and hearts. We see each other on Facebook and chat on the phone, very rarely lately, but we still chat and catch up. I have a feeling I’ll be seeing them on my doorstep in Colorado and I am hoping to see them whenever I visit Atlanta, it’s always fun to visit family!

Tonight was as if no time had passed, I showed up for dinner, they fed me. I did bring dessert, Dutch apple pie and Breyer’s vanilla ice cream! We caught up, we laughed, we joked, we hugged, we reminisced and we loved, it really felt like home and I know it always will.

It was tough to say goodbye, but we got a great picture and I will see them again and I have a feeling, I’m going to have one or two or all of the girls visit me, maybe their mommy will make a girls weekend with me! I got a bunch of goodbye hugs and kisses, my favorite!
Hey LK, lets FaceTime!

As I drove home, I had a smile on my face and it will stay there for a while. Thank you.