She Reads My Mind: My Best Friends

I have three women that I consider to be the closest of the close, bestest of the best, friends. There is very little they don’t know about me (with a few exceptions and one being that I write in this space).

Cristina, I have known since the day she was born yet she’s always lived across the country. We don’t speak often enough and see each other even less but when we do, time melts away and so does everyone else, for that matter. We have a lifetime of history.

Maggie, my best friend from college and city roommate, is the single person who knows where I’ve hidden all my skeletons since age 18. She knows what I’ve done and where I’ve been and loves me. We lead very different lives and proximity isn’t on our side but she’s the one I call when I have a problem, need to talk things through or for a good smack up side the head when I’m due (and I gladly walk right into it, by the way). She’s God loving and uber rational.

Then there’s Susie.

(Expressing our love for sweets at a pastry shop in Positano, Italy)

She’s my “sister from another mister”. Friends call us “Frick and Frack”. We are constantly asked if we're sisters and once even twins. It makes us laugh because we don’t see it. I have the pleasure of seeing her, talking with her, or just quickly texting her every single day.

I have known her the shortest, just 16 years, and we both can tell you the exact moment we became friends. It was a glance, then our eyes met full on, and we rolled them at the very same time at something being said. We were the only two in a room full of people who “got it”. It was instant. 

Sue is more like me than anyone else on this planet. It’s almost scary and sometimes, it is, because she’s just as saucy. 

We have a crazy affect on each other even when we aren’t doing much at all. When one is a little out of control, the other is standing right there either actively participating in the shenanigans and most certainly egging them on but always protective. We thoroughly amuse each other and have more fun, laugh harder than with any other friend. Maybe I should ask her if she feel the same way?

We share a love of food, family, sweets, Stuart Weitzman and Jimmy Choo, sassy jeans, movies, fitness, travel (she’s my roommate for life on girls’ trips), spontaneous adventure and a million other things.

The one thing we do not share is a love of GOLF. And because I have a difficult time saying “No” to her, I’m now golfing every Tuesday morning. Help me now.

The biggest difference with Susie is that she can read my mind, or just about. She can look me square in the eyes, her green to my blue, tilt her head slightly and squint, looking right inside. And she’ll know.

When she started a recent conversation with “I don’t know what….”, then “You better…” then “Don’t you mess up my…”, and "I feel the same…” I know I’m in for a talking to so I have no choice but to listen to my "baby sister" because without me saying one word she knows what she knows.

How does she do that? Magic?

I'm A "Loser": My Worst Habit?

(Not me or my daughter despite the fact we have blue eyes and freckles, too)

There’s nothing like having eight hours alone in a car. I love it. I can play “my” music as loud as I want or it can be perfectly quiet so I can think. Yesterday was the thinking kind of drive and what popped into my head were things that have been pointed out to me recently. Let’s call them my lesser strengths? That’s how I choose to view them.

1. I’m a big loser.

Not the kind of loser with a “L” on my forehead, at least I don't think, but a loser of things or how about a "misplacer" because things usually do resurface eventually. This does not bother me at all; it’s just a bit inconvenient at times.

I recently misplaced a few really important things. I’m not one to panic. Ever. My usual approach to this is to look around a bit, then sit tight and wait for things turn up. Two things have been located; one has not but I'm confident it will.

This morning my cell phone went missing (not at all important to me) and I keep it on vibrate so its location is often problematic. As a result, I missed some calls and a bunch of texts. Oh well, it’s Monday morning. What’s so important? I love when no one is looking for me or at least the feeling.

I don’t have an answer as to why I misplace things. If you ask my parents, they would say I was born that way. It’s why I never carry a purse when I go out at night (cash, credit card and lip gloss into my pocket and I’m ready to go).

Quite possibly my seemingly careless behavior and lack of urgency when things go missing bothers people. I understand but I’m not sure there is anything I can do to change. Besides, things always turn up eventually!

2. I trend towards impulsivity and it seems to catch people off guard. (IMO, not to be considered a bad thing. For anyone who’s listening, I won’t be changing this anytime soon if ever!) 

I can be talked into just about anything so long as it’s accompanied by a sound argument. Sometimes, all it takes is a bit of encouragement. Safely sandwiched between my friends who are silly as well (we’ve hand picked each other), I usually don’t stand out as the lone culprit of undesirable behavior.

I frequently hear, “I did not know you were like this.” Like what? I actually heard it several times this weekend. “Mrs. F., I didn’t know you were so fun!” So, I don’t look like I’d be fun? I’ve been told a number of times that I come off as reserved and quiet. I am not shy, AT ALL. Once I meet someone and, more importantly, like them, all bets are off. Time for shenanigans!

So you know, I’m quite proud of the fact that I’ve never been given “the hook” (maybe someone isn’t watching very closely) or been arrested. Inserting my foot in my mouth is quite rare. Therefore, no need for damage control with me. I come with very good references!

3. As I’m writing, I’m partaking in another habit that some might consider inappropriate. I adore peanut butter and it doesn’t have to be on anything other than a spoon. Just to be clear, I don’t double dip but I do eat it right out of the jar.

See I’m not so bad. However, this is only a partial list.

This is the only life we get. Why shouldn’t it be as fun and exciting as possible? I truly believe it's my sole responsibility to make it that way. However, I'm very fortunate to have friends that make it too darn easy.