Why I love my friends--Part 1

Ok--I had a strange experience lately that really got me thinking. I was in Connell and ran into an old friend. We didn't spend too much time talking, but she just randomly said "you are looking good jess." Now I am not going to lie, my self exteem has pretty much been in the toilet lately, so to have a compliment really made my day--even though it wasn't REALLY a compliment because I honestly looked like I had been hit by a truck. So I started thinking that it is ALWAYS nice to hear good things about yourself because being a mom is hard--or let's face it, life is hard. So I decided that each of my friends needed a chance to hear nice things about themselves. Even though it might be embarrassing, I hope it feels at least a little good. So I chose Amy for installment Number 1 because she was having a really rotten day today. So here goes....
WHY I LOVE AMY
1. She is a great mom. Even though she thinks she has caused her little girlie to be a little too much of a momma's girl, she did it unintentionally. I mean think about it Amy--every thing you did was because you loved your daughter sooooo much.
2. She will tell me when clothes that I am trying on do not look good. This doesn't seem like a big deal, but it is. If you are trying on clothes, a REAL friend should be honest. Otherwise you might end up buying a pair of stretch pants and a cape for heavens sakes.
3. She can shop like a mad woman. I love to shop and it is nice to have someone buy more than me so that I never feel guilty:)
4. She tells it like it is. When she is mad--you know it. When she is sad--you know it. No BS. Just the truth.
5. She grew up on a farm and is a total farm girl. Except she isn't. It is the wierdest thing. You can picture her being a city girl or a farmer's daughter. She can work a tractor, but she hates her feet to get dirty. She is like her own paradox.
6. She was a great teacher. Her kids loved her, but also learned a lot. The perfect combination.
7. She buys books instead of borrowing them. This makes her a great library of books to use. I have many of her books on my night stand waiting to be read.

8. Her hair is always cut well. Even when she was bald after having Laney, her haircut was always cute.
9. She sticks by her beliefs and opinions. She doesn't form an opinion without great thought and some research, and then stays by her opinions. This makes it nice to argue with her. She doesn't TRY to convince me and I don't TRY to convince her. We just both have our own opinons.
10. She will carry a Coach purse and wear a shirt from Target. Just when you think she could be a snob, she fools you.

11. She can't cook and doesn't lie about it.
12. She puts up with RYAN!!!
13. She thinks that Anderson Cooper is hot.
14. Her smile is pretty. She says her teeth used to be screwy, but whatever orthodontists she had did a good job.
15. She will choose to read over exercise. My kinda girl.
16. I have never felt like she wasn't listening to my problems. Then she gives her honest opinion and usually some good solid advice.
17. She told me the truth about pregnancy and child birth--none of the lies about spiritual connections and love at first sight.
18. She knows all about pop culture. I don't have to watch t.v. because she can tell me all about it.
19. She hates to scrapbook but loves to knit. I threw my knitting needles at the wall of the Spokane Airport and left them there and like to make scrapbooks. BUT she NEVER tries to force me to knit and I don't care if she makes any sort of book.
20. Most of all I like that we can have fun times together. We can go camping, play at the beach, dance dance dance, watch t.v., go to lunch, whatever--it will be fun. She is a good friend and I am thankful for her. PLUS--she never ruins the end of books for me. She always reads them first, but never tells me what happens--Now THAT is a good friend.

Sooo...ladies...if you have a friend you have not talked to in a while, give them a call and tell them something nice. It feels good. Maybe they are sitting in their pajams at 2 in the afternoon covered in baby food and eating cookie dough (just a random non-personal example) and need to hear from a long lost friend. Let's all stick together so we can make it through this mommy thing with SOME pride left.