Jenny On the Spot

I just successfully knocked another gift off my list. It was a difficult person to buy for (gift-wise, not a “difficult person” by any means). I am just tickled it’s done, and I think she’ll love it! What’s even better - someone else will be wrapping it and someone else will be mailing it! You know, tis the season to be jolly! I did a little dance in my kitchen and ate a piece (ok, 3 pieces) of Christmas candy. Hey - they were small pieces!

I want to joyfully congratulate my dear friend for taking the plunge - blogging! Jen and I have been friends for decades (yes, there is an “s” at the end of “decade”). We were barely potty-trained when we met. We played Atari at her house, had innumerable sleepovers, and played dress-up. One of us would turn the wheel of her mother’s potter’s wheel while the other stood on it as we “spun” our way into Narnia… We drove our moms crazy, and our younger siblings crazier. We would walk and meet each other “half-way” (always watching out for a certain neighbor’s vicious dog), and rode our bikes everywhere (I nearly destroyed our friendship when I laughed hysterically the time she rode right into a parked car). I laugh at my children over similar things these days. Some people never change!!! It wasn’t you Jen - it was me - really!!!

As we got older, our interests turned to more “mature” things… There was your obsession with Duran Duran, our obsession with cute boys, make-up, cruising, and music. Remember that horrible blind date??? When you moved an hour away the beginning of my 8th grade year (is that right, Jen ?) you handed down your job to me - cleaning combs and brushes at a local beauty salon for $7.50 a week. That one hour on Saturday mornings helped pay for my Big Gulp habit. I kept that job until I moved away to college!

Eventually, we became college roommates… Yes, Jen and Jenny. It’s just sickening. Despite our years of friendship, we lost the dorm contest for roommates who knew each other the best. I think they just asked the wrong questions… We have always had different tastes - my side of the room was pastel-ish, yours was blue and white. Jen, remember when Mike knocked at our second floor window? He climbed up to ask us to go to Denny’s late at night. We were pretty freaked out at first. You (free spirit) went to Denny’s, I stayed (overly-concerned-with-GPA-girl) - I guess I had a class the next morning. I should have gone instead, a lot of good that class did me!!! We did manage our fair share of late nights though, be it talking, laughing, crying, and other spur-o-the-moment-who-cares-about-the-exam-tomorrow-things…

Now, miles have kept our hugs at bay, but not our hearts. Probably 8 years have passed since we have seen each other face to face. Over the years I have watched my mom’s friendship with your mom take similar shape. They’ve been friends as long as we have. Distance, busy lives, children, chaos, miles… A little note here, a phone call there. My mom always tells me when she talked to yours - I hear the joyful reminiscence in her voice, the familiar peace. I see that in myself - you are someone with whom I shared my childhood, adolescence… and now adulthood. We have the same name, both ended up teaching, both mothers, both wives, both grew-up in the armpit of California. I am more proud of some things more than others!

Jen , I am thrilled you are taking on this new adventure. Since I began blogging, I have always thought you should too. While I am in “You Go Girl” mode, I want to give a little “Woo-Hoo” for the Precious One that is taking shape in your belly this very moment… May the vomit be minimal :)