Welcome, welcome, welcome!

A little over a year ago I flew to Florida to help a really good friend move back to Texas. She had divorced her husband several years before, and with her two grown children off trailblazing their own lives, decided it was time to come 'home'. (I did the same thing about 15 years ago, I came back 'home'.) Home is Texas, and even with all it's warts, bad politics and incredibly hot summers...it's still the best place for a Texan to be. My mother always said a Texan is never happy anywhere but Texas, and darned if she wasn't right!

My friend moved to Amarillo, where she had been offered a job, and we had gone to high school together. It turned out to not be much of a job, especially for a good lawyer like she is. Plus it's Amarillo. First off, and a huge black mark for me...it snows there...a lot. It gets really, really cold during the winter. The wind blows almost all the time, year round. There's a distinct odor when the wind is coming off the stockyards...but mostly, it's Amarillo. So, she's back in Texas which is a good thing, but in case you haven't looked at a map lately, it's just a wee bit big. For either of us to drive to visit the other was a little over 6 hours. To fly was better - only 55 minutes, but I was, and am, broke, so I made three trips up there; two driving, one flying. She's made several down here, and got to fly each time, lucky duck! She also has family over on the Big D side of the 'plex, so she's made more trips than I have. We have another friend, who happens to be the oldest friend I've managed to hang on to from those early days, who prefers to drive and has made several trips to visit. Only it's a lot longer than 6 hours. More like 9.

Low and behold, a job popped up here in the Metroplex where I live. She interviewed for it. Twice. They offered her the job and...well...I got the pleasure of helping her move in last weekend. The three of us 'old' friends, and I can say that because we've known each other forever and we don't really consider ourselves old yet, all feel sort of the same way; we're old enough that we can't afford to not keep our friends close. I'm inordinately pleased she's here. It's a better career fit for her, she's got family and friends and, well, I guess that's it. But it's amazing. And glorious. And I'm just tickled pink.

I've lost several good friends over the past few years, mostly due to the changing dynamics in our friendships, but the friendship with these two friends is the stuff mountains are made of. It's such a nice feeling. I believe in friends almost more than anything else. Certainly more than job security. Even more than the idea that what you buy this week will not be discontinued at the grocery store next month. And much more than the consistency of the weather in Texas.

So an excited welcome to my friend Marian! Huzzah! I'm thrilled you are here and only 20 minutes away. I foresee many, many happy times to be shared. More makeovers at Neiman's. More bbq at Riscky's. More wine. More talks. Yep, I'm a happy camper!

Now Jypsy wants to ease Midnight the cat into your life. But yes, get settled first. Start your job tomorrow. Learn your way around to all the good shopping spots, grocery stores and movie theaters. And invite me over a lot. Hugs!