Amazing, Intelligent and Hilarious Women. And Jill. And Eddie.

So, I went.

And I first have to thank all of my commenters yesterday who were so supportive, obviously fresh from begging for forgiveness at church and feeling the need to make someone ELSE feel good.

I gotta tell you, though, I have no idea what I was so worried about. As my newly reaffirmed friend Em pointed out, "I think besides Holly and Jill, the rest of us were probably in the same emotional boat."

In retrospect, personalities like the ones that many of we bloggers carry around are chock full of neuroses, discomfort and pain...the really juicy stuff that creates such wonderful humor. As I looked from face to face last night, I found myself wondering what emotional baggage each one carried that resulted in such amazing wit. Some stories I knew, and but hearing a laugh or seeing a twinkle made me realize that I have some archive digging to do in the blogs I don't know all that well.

Nicole, thanks for falling on the sword for the group and sitting next to the creepy guy. I don't at all blame you for inching your chair away from me when you thought I wouldn't notice...my nervous rambling, obvious self-amusement, overpowering cologne and the mountain of lettuce wraps in front of me left me in awe of the fact that you didn't run screaming from the table, or subtly lean over to dry heave in the direction of Elaine's pretty shoes. My only other comment...5 kids in 7 years? OUCH.

Holly, I am dumbfounded by you. Not only can you carry on an intelligent poker conversation, but when we switched gears to the pros and cons of various drug habits, you didn't miss a beat. You made compelling arguments, but I still have to pin the blue ribbon on vicodin...euphoria AND attractive weight loss that doesn't result in your garage exploding? I'm sorry, those babies are win win win. As a tribute to your addictions, I include the picture below that obviously caught you on a brief mental trip to Jamaica. Please do your best to try to ignore the waiter who kept insisting on sticking his pelvis in the frame.



Shauna, I haven't been so thoroughly and repeatedly insulted in a public place since my wedding night. For your obvious Math Brain, you certainly learned how to handle yourself on the playground at some point. I was terrified, and impressed.

Bianca, Lisa and Ally, thanks for being so sweet and not macing me when I introduced myself... hope we can spend better time together next time.

Elaine, I can't thank you enough for putting together such fun, and for appearing so calm through all of your arranging! Sorry again if I was monopolizing the conversation...it was sweet of you not to run away.

Kristin, if I find one more Pinot bottle in my yard I'm calling the cops. That's it. I've had it. Tell your husband no haircuts till St Baldrick's.

And finally, to Em and Jill, three words.

Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful.

Yes, I'm aware of how gay that just made me sound, but I can't think of anything more accurate to describe you two. How fun it was to see you both "animated" and to hear the laughs behind the words. After reading you both for months, and laughing along with your witty posts and comments, meeting you in person felt like a formality at this point...and yet incredible to see your personalities in motion. Seeing your picture I know that Deb is devastated that she couldn't be there to play with us, but I bet we can persuade her next time. It was a real treat getting to spend time with you two...the next meeting is too far away.