Random Musings And Photos (take 2): Happy Fun Monday! (a.k.a. Ya Gotta Have Friiiiiends...)

monday didn't start off happy or fun, but ended up that way. started off not wanting to get up & spent most of the day nodding off! or, rather, fighting it - i didn't ACTUALLY nod off, for any of you who might take that literally. *laugh* it was actually kinda an exciting work-day, with lots of fun things to keep time moving quickly. but i was still very sleepy.

i met my dear friend linda and her daughter amanda at ryan's steakhouse for dinner. linda & i have been friends since i was in 7th & she was in 8th grade, new to Temple. we bonded during gym. i don't remember over what, exactly, just that it was time to learn about soccer, we were in line next to each other, and she was nice! she has an older sister, carol, and together we all formed a kind of group of lifelong friends. linda, carol, juli, vicky, abbie, renee - and some we've lost touch with, joe, april, lavawn. we were a unique kind of group, spanning all grades. well, 7th - 12th. actually, i think abbie was sorta part of our group when she was in 6th grade, as vicky's sister.

we were all inclusive, at least we tried to be. we didn't turn anyone away, anyway! *laugh* and ppl came & went, at various times, but the core of our friendships stayed the same. and our core friendships have remained strong through distances far & wide!

linda met her future husband at college in chicagoland, and he was from japan. so, after college she moved to japan, they got married, had a couple kids, and now she comes back for visits. i miss her, a lot! but thank God for the internet! : )

so, tonight we got to hang out. juli, her hubs john & their kids, sarah & andrew were able to join us as well! john had to leave after dinner, and the rest of us went to the park for an hour or so. i like ryan's, altho buffets in general seem to have gotten higher priced & have less food. but i was able to make some nachos and have pulled pork, cottage cheese, and honey buttered rolls. mmm! oh, and some pretty good whitefish, as well. and there were rice krispie treats & ice cream for dessert! : )

after i finished eating, i brought out the camera. andrew's a little ham & he LOVES the camera! sarah & mandi were liking it a lot, too. mandi has her own little signature move that she taught sarah. heh.

i love love LOVE seeing the kids together! linda & i were talking about it at the park, how neat it is to have her kids playing w/ her best friends' kids... : )