Good food, good friends, GREAT times

I have some of the greatest friends. Not just here in our newest state, but all over the country. Every where we have lived, we have left behind some really great people. Luckily we have been able to keep in touch with most of them over the years.

5 states later, we are still gathering friends for a lifetime. Wednesday was National School Nurse's day. It also marks the birthday of Florence Nightengale, and the end of Nurse's week.


My nursing supervisor wanted to take all of us out to dinner (all 5 of us that work in the district, plus our three substitute nurses). We had a fabulous time. We always do. We didn't even talk shop all that much - except to share a few funny stories from our week. We had a fabulous dinner at a local restaurant (I had steak!) and stayed together for about 3 hours before heading home. We would have stayed longer, but alas.....it was a work night.

Friday was girls night for me again. This time with local moms from the town we live in. These fabulous ladies - Athena, Emma, Karen......we try to go out at least once every other month. But Emma has a crazy work schedule, so we haven't been out in awhile. All four of us met last year when our kids were in Kindergarten. And our kids are all friends, and so it was natural for us to be friends too. Last night was so much fun. We tried a new restaurant (which ended up just being okay and we all decided we won't be going again) but stayed together for several hours talking and laughing. We caught up. And we don't have to spend the whole night talking about our kids, or school, or teachers. We talked about everything else. It was great.

Tonight I am going out with a girlfriend from work- Mindy. She has been on maternity leave this year, and we try to get together about every other month and catch up. She misses the gossip from school (and lately she is missing a LOT). We are going to dinner and then to see "The Back Up Plan". I am looking forward to seeing her. We always have a great time.

So three nights this week! I am gaining a ton of weight with all of this eating out. Thank goodness it is almost summer and we are outside doing yard work to help me work off the food.

Today Arlington had a softball game. Our first Saturday game, and I remembered to take the camera. Aren't you proud?

(Arlington is the kiddo in the back - near the fence - she was playing 3rd base)

They had a fairly good game. They have played this team before and they are really tough. It seems like most of the girls are a bit older.

But the game ended in a tie, which was good considering last time we lost. Badly.

And Arlington hit the ball both times up to bat today.

I was so proud. We have been practicing hard at home, and it is finally showing.

And she didn't play in the dirt one time! She paid attention to the whole game. Progress.

Today was a beautiful day, so all of us where outside quite a bit during the afternoon. We got a lot of yard work done today.

Our yard is not ready yet. I haven't gotten a single new plant in the ground yet this year.

But we are pruning and cleaning and patching and mulching. That should be just about done this weekend and then the fun stuff can start.

I would like to say Happy Birthday to my Pap-pap and my Aunt Renee. Both of them will be celebrating their birthday's on Monday, May 17th. This is my Pap's 90th birthday. Amazing!

And he is still very active. He is a wonderful guy and I am lucky to have such a great granddad. And my Aunt is equally amazing!!! I think she is turning.....21? Am I right?

Have a great weekend everyone! I will be cooking next week, so stay tuned for Making Meals Monday. After this week, they are all going to have to be lowfat!