I've been thinking a lot about what makes a good friend. 

My oldest daughter is at the age when fitting in and feeling loved by your peers is so important.  I suppose if we are being honest with ourselves fitting in and being loved is important to all of us no matter what our age.

I've been stressing to her that quantity of friends doesn't matter.  That quality is a better attribute.

Recently I posted as a Facebook status "How did we meet and how long have we known each other".  It was so fun to see some of the answers.

I'm not forty (yet) but I've had friends for over 20 years.  One of my friends commented about how we were on the same peewee cheerleading team.  We were seven!  That means I've been friends with her for 31 years!  That doesn't seem possible.

I recalled dancing at a teen club with one of my other friends.  She was incredibly pregnant!  We were so young.  Both of us flabbergasted by the fact that she was really having a baby.  "Do you think he'll like loud music?" she asked me, as we both danced near the speakers. 

That little boy isn't so little anymore.  He'll be 23 this year and yes, he does like his music loud.  LOL

I had one friend say I was her first "American" friend.  She and her family moved to Ohio from England when our kids were just wee little things. 

When the stay-at-home phase of my life merged with the-kids-are-starting-school phase of my life I met even more wonderful people.  The principal of my daughter's school recalled meeting me when Oldest transferred here from kindergarten in Ohio. 

I vividly remember Oldest getting down on the ground during that meeting and running her hands up and down the principal's pantyhose and saying how soft they were.  That was mortifying.  I didn't really think I would ever be considered her friend.  Yet now she has lunch with me and the other lunch ladies just about everyday.  And to think that my little kindergartner from that story will soon start middle school.

I have friends I've met through work at the paper, through work at the school district.  Many of whom I can share a glass of wine with and laugh about the day.  I have neighbors (and former neighbors) whom I would drop everything for.  Whom I would bail out of jail.  Whom I would give a kidney.

I have had the privilege of meeting some wonderful moms through preschool programs that I truly feel blessed to know.  Many of them (especially K) make me proud to be a parent.  They fill me with hope, with gratitude and with awe.  I secretly want to be them when I grow up.  I think their kids are the luckiest little people in the entire world.  A&J are going to do amazing things and I hope I'm around to see it all!

Without my friend, B, I would likely explode.  She listens to me gripe, she takes care of me when I'm sick, she watches my kids, she picks up gallons of milk for me, she goes on vacation with me and she reads my manuscripts and tells me that she loves them.

We have a secretly language and usually without words we know if the other is hurting.

It is my sincere hope that you have friends that you've known for decades, for years, for months, that bring you great joy.  Whom you can't remember life without.  Whom you don't want to live life without.

First and foremost, I have the flu.  UGH.  I feel terrible.  The worst part of having the flu and being a mom is you can't take the day off.  You still have to get everyone ready, make food, round up lunch, figure out a way to get your son to and from preschool that doesn't involve moving from the couch. 

I went back to sleep while he was at school.  I stil don't feel better.  I caled off work.  I still don't feel better.  I had two freezepops to eat all day.  I still don't feel better.  I took pepto bismol...I still don't feel better. 

My daughter's have a half day of school today.  They will be home shortly.  Maybe one of them will get me some tylenol.  I really don't want to get off of the couch.

That is how terrible I feel.

As for things I learned this week, they are as follows:

• Getting a flu shot may actually be a good idea;
• Traveling round trip 6 hours; so you can be at your grandfather's viewing all in one day is totally worth it.  Even when you know you are starting to feel sick.
• Friends are always there when you need them; whether it's to watch your dog when they already have two of their own or to drive your son to and from preschool so you can take a nap;
• No matter how bad you feel, someone out there probably feels worse.  Count your blessings.
• My dog is good company when I don't feel well and I'm all alone.

What did you learn this week?

Following along with the rules of the award, I'm handing it out to five other deserving bloggers. If you aren't already regular visitors you should be! Drum roll, please. And the winners are:

Inkhearts. Shannon has a great blog and the best part is she doesn't even know how great it is. Vist her and leave a comment. When she returns the favor, you will be surprised by how uplifted you feel. Love you, girl!

Ferris and Simone. These two crazy cats will have you cracking up and their pets are pretty funny too. If you like cats, you'll love this blog.

Life with a Little One. Jenners makes me smile often and best of all she teaches me things without even trying. I'm not sure I would have undertaken such a huge blog makeover without her inspiration.

Between the Lines. An honest parenting blog about the ups and downs of raising twin girls and how it feels to go back to work after being a home.

Last but certainly not least,

The Daily Scrapper. She never fails to amaze me with how much scrapbooking one person can get done. Do you know she has already scrapped her Christmas pictures! I'm so jealous.

Thanks for stopping by.