May there be many more

Last night we enjoyed a wonderful night with our bestfriends, Mona and Greg, and Mary and Brad. We've known each other for over 20 years and whenever we get together we have the best time. Last night was no different. Mona and I see each other on a regular basis, however we only occasionally are able to spend time with Mary. We met at 6:30 at a restaurant downtown called Tres Hombres. Greg chose this restaurant because he overheard me saying the day before how much I wanted a margarita. Dan and I were the last to arrive because it took us a while to find a park downtown. Chico's downtown is notorious for a lack of parking. When we arrived Greg had already order a pitcher of margaritas for us, so after giving and receiving hugs all around, I had a margarita waiting for me.

Here are my girls. Mary is on the left and Mona is on the right. Aren't they pretty? They are the most genuine women I know. No bs coming from their mouths. I know that regardless of what problem I may be having, all I have to do is explain the problem and they let loose with their sage wisdom and I always feel better. They both have adult children and have experienced most of the parenting challenges that I now face with my teenagers.

Here I am with Mary and Mona. You may take note that they have such lovely smiles on their faces, what's wrong with Cindy? I don't look very happy. The truth is that I have facial paralysis on the right side and so it makes smiling difficult. So believe it or not, I'm really happy in this picture.

Here are our men. Greg, on the left is married to Mona. Brad in the center is married to Mary. Dan on the right is my guy. Brad is an endodontist and Greg owns a dental lab. We so enjoy watching these three together. However, there are times when we cringe at how loud and boisterous they get in public places.

After dinner, we walked around downtown and then decided to get some Italian gelato at a local sweets shoppe, called Powells. This sweet shoppe is fantastic. It is like stepping back in time. They have candies from when we were children, so we become very nostalgic as we recognize many of the candies that we can no longer purchase in regular stores. Dan bought a pound of his favorite Atomic Fireballs and we shared a small cup of java chip and peanut butter fudge gelato.

We then decided to go back to Greg and Mona's to continue the evening. As soon as we arrived, Greg wanted to show Dan and Brad the new Kybota that he got Mona for Mother's day. So he grabs a bottle of tequila (I realize that a bottle of tequila, these three men and a Kybota is not a smart combination) and the boys took off, while we stayed behind to talk. One hours passes, then two hours pass, and the boys haven't come back. Mary started to yawn, then I started to yawn, and then Mona started to yawn. All of us have at the back of our minds that bottle of tequila. It wouldn't be outside the realm of possibility that they could have gotten rip roaring drunk and rolled the new Kybota. It's 11 pm and there was still no sign of the guys. Mary and I both wanted to go home so we decided to go find them. We climbed into Mona's Suburban and started cruising the neighborhood in vain looking for the guys. Finally, we gave up and started heading back to the house. As we are driving back we begin to discuss various alternatives that would result in Mary and I going home and to bed, leaving Dan and Brad with alternative transporation home. Just as we arrive back at the house, we notice that the Kybota is back in the corral and the gate is closed. The guys have returned. My cell phone begins to ring. It's Dan. He says, "Where have you girls been? We've been waiting forever for you." What???!!! Hugs were given all around and we finally left Greg and Mona's at 11:30 pm.

Another wonderful evening with our favorite people had come to an end. May there be many more.