New Years Irresolution

I have discovered, over and over, that it is important for me not to go above and beyond the things that make me, me.  Over the years, I've tried to change, but the results have not changed.

Once a year, I decide that I'm ready to be a real, responsible, healthy adult and it always ends terribly for me. But, I try anyway.  I sit myself down and tell myself how I'm going to do this.  Schedules are drafted.  Day-planners are purchased.  I stock up on fancy food because I'm planning on converting my entire family into healthier eating habits. I put away my daily yoga pants and pull out my nice jeans, skirts, heels and button down shirts. Yes, I prepare for my new life like some people prepare for the apocalypse.

The first day or two of my plans usually goes okay.

For a little while, I actually feel all grown-up and healthy!  I strut around with my ‘dressy’ clothes, looking everyone in the eye with that  glance that says "look at ME, I’m dressed up and responsible….just look at all my fancy groceries.”

At some point, I start feeling self-congratulatory.

This is a mistake.  

I begin to feel like I've accomplished my goals. I lose a few pounds, my nails are done, my hair is perfect, and I feel really good about myself. It's like I think a lifestyle change is something that can be earned like a trophy in one epic burst of effort and then coveted for the rest of my life.  

What usually ends up happening is that I completely wear myself out. Thinking that I've earned it, I give myself permission to slack off for a while. My fancy shoes, give m blisters (oh, how I miss my flip flops). I break out from wearing make-up everyday, and I get really tired of cooking every night!

Is it really that bad, if I wear my holed jeans while I run my errands? I’ll make sure to flat iron my hair and put on some lip gloss, this is acceptable, right? 

Well, I end up needing to take more recovery time than usual and this is when it all starts….

The longer I procrastinate, put on my yoga pants, and allow myself to drive thru Chic-fil-a for dinner, only leads to more and more irresolution.  

At some point in this endlessly spiraling disaster, I am forced to throw all of my energy into starting over again, just to dig myself out of the pit I've fallen into. The problem is that I start over, already burnt out from the last round. I won’t allow myself to fail. But,I do because it always ends the same way.  

And then I rebel.  

yummmm!

So, I’ve come to a new yearly resolution…..Do more of what makes me happy, fly by the seat of my pants, and laugh more! I’ll never fail at this one. 

Happy New Year, family and friends! 

Sleepless in Scrubs

I missed another school event last night…because I had to work. I rolled into my front door at 9am because I had to stop and get groceries before I could go home. If I am fortunate, I will sleep like a rock, hard and solid. But, when the kids get home from school, they will be on their own again...struggling to stay quiet so I can sleep. When I finally awaken, I will stumble through a shower and make my way downstairs. I’ll attempt to listen to my kids tell me about their day, trying to retain what they are saying. Unfortunately a lot of it goes in one ear and out the other:(

Coffee. Where’s the coffee…

My husband gets home, I tell him what he needs to know about my day: I didn’t touch the laundry, I didn’t unload the dishwasher, dinner is not ready, and the kids just started on their homework…oh, and we need more coffee. He nods, gives me a hug and out the door I go.

My drive to work consists of some kind of caffeine drinking and clearing the fog from my head. What will be in store for me tonight? A high census? Call-ins? I stress myself out before I even get to work…..

Where am I going with this: well, I write this post as a tribute to the night nurses that I have had the pleasure to work with. Although I am jokingly called a traitor for accepting a day position, I can’t help but feel a bit sad for leaving such a great group of nurses, some of whom I can call my friends.

The conversations that go on at night are unforgettable.

At night, we get the crazies, the spontaneous labors, the A.M. scheduled c-sections in labor. Everything is a surprise. We are sleepy, but we are working hard. We are overlooked, but we are faithful. We are lonely, but united. We are irritable, but knowledgeable. We are independent, but deeply depend on each other. We work in the dark, but our humors are light. Our stomachs are bloated and our bladders are full. Life goes on without us, and we go on when life settles. We function in darkness, even in the daylight. We have found ourselves driving into our driveways with no memory of ever driving home.

Night shift friends, you’ve made me laugh when I’ve been at my very worst and helped me transition into the nurse that I am. When I see you, at change of shift, please know that I am forever grateful for you. XOXO 

My NCLEX experience

I won’t write about the days leading up to NCLEX as they can be described in one word: INSANE.
So, I arrived early to the testing facility. When I arrived on the eighth floor, the door to the testing center was locked and had a sign that said please wait for a representative to open the doors at 7:25.
I immediately starting speaking to another person waiting to take her exam. She was taking a pharmacy tech exam and was also just as nervous as I was. Except when I am nervous, I can’t stop talking…and because I left my phone in the car, this poor pharmacy girl was my victim. I learned many things about her: where she lived, went to school, kids, everything…….but, should have known by her short answers that I maybe I should maybe leave her alone…..I didn’t.
I was trying to get my mind at ease before they opened the doors to the testing center and this poor girl amused me.
Finally 7:30am the doors opened and we were asked to get a number and wait for our number to be called. I jumped at number 1, I can’t wait any longer than I already have to. There was a lady seated attentively and upright behind a desk. She looked up at me as I entered and sat. After I'd arranged myself in the chair, she called ‘number one please”.
Yes, I explained, that’s me.
She asked me what exam I was here to take, and I felt the tears welling up as I said, I am here to take my NCLEX exam.
"Your authorization to test and ID, please."
"Empty your pockets, take off your watch, and leave everything in this basket, grab a locker and keep the locker key with you. Please take this paper and read it. I will call you in a few minutes."
She was a very formal business woman, whose tone was as crisp as her pristine ironed shirt.
I sat and tried to read the paper regarding NCLEX exam policies and violations when I touched the cross pendant on my necklace (to say a little prayer) and my necklace broke. As I held the small crucifix in my hand I thought to myself - oh no, this is not a good sign. I’ve never worn this necklace before and the cross pendant was a graduation gift also not worn yet. I asked and was told that I was not allowed to carry my necklace in my pocket, I had to lock it up with the rest of my things (which consisted of a water bottle and set of keys), so I did.
When the woman was ready for me, I had to sign my name, let her finger print me, scan my palm 5 times, get my photo taken, sign my name again, lock up my things, on and on and on. Finally she gathered my papers, scanned my finger one last time, and walked with me two steps into the hallway.
There was a woman seated in the monitoring station, watching the test takers. Though calling it a monitoring station is a kind of visual understatement. Her station looked upon so many screens. She informed me that I would be monitored at ALL times by video and speaker. Yep, they can hear you breathe as you take your exam! WOW!
She took my ID as well, scanned my fingerprint, activated my test in the computer, and escorted me inside to my terminal. I noted that I was seated at computer #8, right smack dab in the middle of the room. I guess that’s what I get for grabbing that #1 ticket.
When the test finally began, it looked exactly like the review books describe them. I didn't feel nervous at that time. I felt like I had a really good chance.
Until I got terrified…..
I felt the exam was very difficult and then it cut off at 75. What? NO! I'm not done, I need more time. I was already crying so the tears just continued to flow. I had to raise my quivering hand to inform the lady that I was finished and to be escorted out and she scanned my fingerprint and palm again so I could leave.
I cried all the way to my car, I called hubby…no answer. Called my sister…no answer. called parents…..no answer. Called friends….no answer. ughhh. I needed to vent, where is everybody?
I checked the testing website and for some strange reason, my results had posted….I PASSED!
So, I cried even more.
I called a classmate/friend and we laughed and shared stories all the way home. She made me feel so much better. Thank you, Mispa!
Oh, and my broken necklace….it was a sign….a good one. That the Lord was with me that day like I asked him to and he was going to get me through this!
Studying nursing has been good for me in so many ways, I've grown past anxieties and gained a measure of self-confidence. The changes were subtle and slow, but when I look back, I'm amazed at how far I've come.
Finding a path in life that both complements and challenges you is a gift. In this crazy world, I was lucky that my ambition in life actually worked for me. I have shaped my character and strengthened my identity. Of course, it was tedious and downright depressing.
But here I am now, with a degree and initials after my name. After all of it... after everything... I made it.

Tassels to The Left......

I knew that my nursing degree, would be my most valued and hardest earned. During school, I worried a lot about working and going to school full time, and that I would miss out on time with my kids. I realize now that they were totally ready for whatever sacrifices they had to make. They wanted to see me in a job and career I liked. And as they approach college, it wasn't the worst thing in the world for them to see me getting a degree, and to see that sometimes you have to keep trying even when things don't go perfectly.
That middle shelf of books, has been my life for the past two years. Well, not completely.....I must say, the friends I made in the classroom and in clinicals were too. They will be lifetime friends. We will be following one another's career progress, and will definitely cross paths again.
These people who I studied with, commiserated with, cried with, sweated test scores with, people who came from every background and every age: we are forever bonded by this experience.
Those early red-eyed mornings, when coffee was just not doing the trick, another mess in the patients bed to clean, days we really missed our children, or those days when we felt like we did not know what the heck we were doing.....we got each other thru those crazy days! The best of times will be remembered too......the first time seeing a live birth, group lunches, squiggly neck hairs, getting all your meds administered on time......those are some good times.
But, as we say goodbye to the classroom, we open the door to a new life......can you believe we are nurses?!!!!
We all felt like this day would never get here and here we are!
CONGRATULATIONS, my dear classmates.....we made it!
I wish you luck in everything you do and wherever life takes you.

My cup runneth over

I am overwhelmed with emotions right now and I am going to attempt to put them into words so, here goes......

Yesterday, we felt the wonderful effects of a cold front that is traveling thru the north. And in the midst of the wonderful weather; last night my husband, kids, and friends hosted a congratulatory celebration in our neighborhood park for me. It was so nice to drive through my neighborhood and see people just casually enjoying the beautiful evening and also giving me hugs, presents, and congratulations. It is wonderful to know that I am surrounded by such caring people.

I didn't say very much because I knew I would cry. But I want to share what I wanted to say last night:

The last year has been the most difficult year of my life. At a time in my life when my cup seems to have so many holes in it, people around me just kept coming forward and pouring and pouring to fill it back up, when I felt at a loss. There were so many times that I wondered why I was in school so late in life. I know that it was my decision to start a family early and although I really enjoy being a mother, I felt the need to accomplish my life long goal of becoming a nurse. And I have painfully missed soccer games, school activities and birthday parties that I can never take back. Ours lives are filled with so many hard decisions these days. The emotional weight of it all has been wearing us down, but we can keep putting one foot in front of the other because we are surrounded by such loving friends and family.
Mike, kids, family, and friends: I have survived this year because of all of you. Thank you' doesn't seem like enough but I mean it from the bottom of my heart.

I don't know what I ever did to be worthy of such an outpouring of affection but it sustains me.

Thank you.

Unintentional Pity Party

I want to take this moment to thank everyone for your kind words, texts, and emails yesterday.
I didn't write yesterdays post to throw myself a pity party. I was just trying to blow off some steam (virtually) and be honest about the struggles I was having at the moment.
I consider myself blessed in many ways but, in no way is my life perfect, nor do I pretend it to be. Yesterday was an off day for sure. And, I think I was really more tired than anything else.
Venting gives me peace. Some days I surf blogs to see if any one else is going through whatever it is I'm dealing with at that time....and I always find someone who writes and makes me think......wow, she is totally blogging about my life right now!!!! And in a weird way, it makes me feel better to know that in certain situations, I am not alone....... then I laugh, cry, laugh (its a vicious cycle) and finally I feel better.
So, I'm hoping that yesterdays drama helped someone or at least made them laugh because I'm laughing about it now.
But to everyone who gave such kind words to me yesterday, you really made my day:)
Thank You!

Friendship

I went out today to find a friend, but could not find one
So the next day, I went out to BE a friend, and friends were everywhere!
~author unknown

Lucky Girl

I have been so fortunate with the friends (OK, take the time to gag and then move on). Really, truly, I am just so lucky. I was a bit nervous when we decided to stay here and not venture back to Florida. Especially because I had (have) such wonderful friends back home. Of course no one could replace any of those girls, but I wanted to have some additional girls up here. I’m a social person and need that outlet. Otherwise, you know . . . I might have that breakdown.

It’s hard to make friends when you’re a older and a stay at home mom. Where am I going to meet people? Well, through my children of course. Thank goodness my kids have such great taste in friends because it was through them that I made my friends. The parents of all the kids who hang out with my kids at school, in the neighborhood, at T ball, and soccer.

My friends are amazing women. So fun and thoughtful, smart and funny. In such a short time they have befriended me and my family in all manner of ways.

By helping me with my kids, drinking with me and giving me that much needed girl time.

Today we picked up the keys to our new house and met our neighbors across the street. I already know they’re going to be good friends. I cannot believe how lucky I am. It’s almost more happiness, friendship and love than one girl can stand!!

Summer Nights

It is hard to believe that school is but a memory. The temperatures have quickly elevated such that I lie on top of the bedspread instead of snuggled beneath the covers. My nightly ritual of hanging out with the kids consists of cold dinners (i don't want to turn the oven on), ice cream for dessert, and swimming in the evening....it's great!
I enjoy summer, gotta love those free Cinemark movies, $5 bowling days, the community pool, and the beach but, mostly getting to sleep in. In fact, my husband will tell you that I sleep waaaaay in, now that I don't have to drive the kids to school at 7:30am, it's a wonderful thing. As long as we get up in time for lunch, my errands are done, and the kids are having fun...sleeping in is allowed, right?
As much as I am enjoying sleeping in and not having to "assist" with homework, I expect that I'll be eager to get rid of the kids come August when I'll want more time alone to get work done or have my own appointments.
But, so far this summer is terrific, we are spending it with great friends, taking naps, and visiting family. I'm enjoying every hot sticky moment of it.

Let it snow......

It's Christmas Eve and it's snowing outside!!!!
If you happen to live in a part of the country that isn’t blessed with this powdery, white miracle, (like us) you know why I am so excited. And of course, snow this time of year is always the best!

I have been anticipating its arrival since I first saw the forecast and there I sat, in the living room by the window just waiting, and waiting. By the time the first few flakes started floating down it was well past 11am and the kids had already accepted the fact that it may not snow.

Today would have been a perfect day for me to bake cookies and stay in my jammies, but I just couldn't, I had to enjoy this wonderfulness.
Me and Melissa had Carmel lattes at Starbucks while the snow fell. Coffee with a great friend is always a good thing. Thanks, Melissa.
The kids loved playing outside as the snow piled on their heads and kissed their noses, it was a lot of fun!
We had Christmas Eve dinner at my sisters house,made by the hubbies who did a really good job, we all left the table absolutely stuffed.
It was still snowing outside.....so we let the kids play in the snow again at night, since it could be gone by morning.

Brrr, it was sooo cold!!!! The kids little fingers and ears were rosy and chilly.
Coffee and dessert by the fireplace wrapped up a beautiful day!
I know I often complain that Texas is a never ending land of cornfields and cows, but it's changing seasons and my great friends are things that make it worth living here.
It's been snowing for more than 10 hours now and we have a couple inches of snow. No signs of it stopping anytime soon.
Today was a great day, I wouldnt change a thing!

Another Sweater Party

Last night one of the doctors threw a Ugly sweater party so a bunch of the L&D staff went. This marks the third, Michael and I have attended this December. I actually really like them. There are so many UGLY/TACKY sweaters out there and I feel like it puts people in holiday mode.
Shopping for a tacky sweater, borrowing it from grandma, or making one yourself, is the best part. People can be so creative: Nikki took tinsel garland and sutured it to her neighbors sweater then she took window cling reindeer and stapled it to Wades sweater, Sam had to outbid people on eBay for hers and I found ours at the Gooodwill.
With every person that walked in the door, I think we all laughed harder and harder.
It was a GREAT night!

Hello There...neighbor

You know how it usually happens. The moving van pulls up across the street. You peer through the slats of the window blinds. You don't want them to see you checking out the new neighbors. Who are they? In goes the fancy furniture...as I wonder, will we be friends and share dinners? In goes a child-size bike...and I wonder how many kids they have?
New neighbors are always fascinating.
I hope they forgive me for disrupting their moving process to run over and meet them but, the worry of who our new neighbors would be, was still pondering. I have had my share of BAD neighbors and could not handle another but, what a relief that a lovely family has moved in.
And the kids.....three girls!!!! YAY!
How wonderful for my girls to have new friends on the street.

It's the Great Pumpkin tradition

Sunday was our annual pumpkin carving party.
The kids were so excited and wild all afternoon waiting for people to get here.
We had a good turn out. Our friends and neighbors were here.
Ethan didn't stop running around all day.
This year we added a Halloween pinata to our festivities.
The kids lined up and were so excited!!!
That poor little ghost pinata didn't stand a chance when the kids started in.
Shortly after, it was in two big pieces. the kids looked like chickens pecking all over the ground for candy.
How FUN!
After all was said and done, it was a great success.
I wanted to take so many more pictures, but instead just enjoyed the beautiful weather with our friends.
We had a really good time.

A big thanks to everyone who came and helped us continue our tradition.
We enjoyed every minute of it.
Happy fall y'all.

We Got Boo'ed

A Halloween tradition is spreading rapidly throughout the culture. Called "Getting Booed," it involves a family making a Halloween gift basket and leaving it anonymously on a neighbor's door step with a sign "You Got Booed." The receiving family's job, then, is to make up another gift basket and play the trick on another family in the neighborhood who doesn't have a 'got booed' sign on their door.

Last night we had a mysterious knock on the door. When the kids opened the front door, they found a bag of sweet treats along with a paper ghost and poem instructing them to do the same to two other neighbors.
My kids love this part of our Halloween tradition.

But there's been a little debate about whether or not this booing business is plain fun or plain inconsiderate. Is it spreading the Halloween spirit or just a glorified chain letter?

The truth is that it's both.

I still dig it, but I don't want other parents with children on the receiving end of a "You've been boo'ed" ghost to feel pressured to participate. It's hard enough to get Halloween costumes together and prepare for school parties. This I know. But since we ‘got booed’, it’s on!

Here is a BOO basket I found, made by Jennifer at The Buck Stamps Here

that I want to make.

Falling for Fall

Living in Florida for so long, I never knew what seasons were.
We had rain or sun, and humidity all year around.
I remember my first Fall season in Texas. It was so nice to see leaves that turned colors and scattered down the street, meeting new people and being able to open windows in the house!!!! It was amazing.
Now, I have lived here for three years and Fall is still my favorite time of year here. This fall I have a lot to look forward to:

Oktoberfest
Kids Fall Sports
Pumpkins on the porch
Making Smores with the neighbors
Getting caught up on my scrap booking on those chilly days
Warm apple cider

Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks
putting away my flip-flops
wearing sweaters
New Fall Season of Desperate Housewives
Movies: New Moon, Where the Wild Things Are and,

It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
Cuddling on the couch with the kids
I just love this time of year!

Nothing Like It

There is nothing like taking a little time from mommyhood, wifehood, labor&deliveryhood.Nothing like putting on makeup and my hair in something other than a pony tail. And getting dressed in something glittery that makes me feel good. Something to remind me of the person inside.There's nothing like a night to escape the madness with some really good friends, have some drinks, and laugh your pants off.The key to keeping sane is some times to do things out of the norm of yourself.....‘Cause you’re “no good” to anyone if you are no good to yourself.

Last night, twelve of us great friends went to Pete's Piano Bar for a fun adults night out. We sang, laughed, and danced together and it was a real good time.Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love being a mother, wife, and nurse but sometimes escaping for just a moment can be exactly what I need to enjoy those things even more.

Well-Labelled Whine

This month marks our six month anniversary of ladies night. It started as a book/wine club where we all read Twilight (except for me) and then went to watch the movie together. The spring season brought soccer, baseball, and other kids activities that seemed to take over.

Regardless of our busy schedules we all manage to still get together once a month and unwind. For some of us (like me) it is the only time that I can hang out in my pj's with my friends and really relax, vent, and get some good friend time. Books, movies, games, or not...these ladies like their wine.

So, on the topic of wine.... a couple of months ago....I was in Market Street looking for some wine for our next ladies night night and I stumbled across some very interesting wines!

.....some people like their wine dry. some people like their wine sweet. some people like their wine earthy with moderate tannins. But ME....I like my wine to be well-labelled. You'll see why.

The Mad Housewife Collection

The name says it all.....and we all have our days (I know I do)!! wine should be fun, relaxing, and something you can afford to look forward to at the end of each and every day. Time to enjoy a moment to yourself. A moment without the madness.

Bitch is ...bitchin'

Yeah I have had these days too but, I have yet to try this RED wine but I like it already because of its provocative title, all in pink. and the repetitions of the word “bitch” on the back. more likely, it’s the bottle’s alternating dagger heart dagger heart border. But I learned that this wine is fruity with notes of cranberry and strawberry and has a high alcohol volume.....ahhhh!

The Fat Bastard

It is subtle humor at its best! I love that they integrated the name and visuals in a witty and sophisticated solution for a wine. And yeah 'book club ladies' we all know the joke surrounding fat bastard, hahaha!

So the next time you are out shopping for a bottle of wine, take a look around at what is out there. There are some pretty descriptive labels that each of us can relate to and laugh about.

Home Sweet Home

After almost 3 years, I am happy that I chose to move here! Moving from a small town to a small city was a dramatic awakening and took some adjustment!
Back home every where I went from the movies to the park, I ran into someone I knew. But even after the first year of living here, I never even ran into neighbors or acquaintances at the neighborhood park. It was very weird for me.
I finally got what I wished for though, and I feel more at peace than I have in many years because the other day, I saw a good friend at the grocery store and we chatted a bit, then I went down the cereal isle and saw a fellow soccer mom and chatted some more, and at the register I ran into a doctor that I work with and guess what?? I chatted some more.... and it was SO FREAKING COOL!
It's another adjustment, though, to be in a place again where everyone knows everyone. Going to the store in my pajamas used to be acceptable, because, hey-- no one knew me and no one will ever see me again! Buuuut...that's not exactly the case anymore, is it? I love it!

Makin' a list.....

I have a list....you know THE LIST....the ones that are always getting longer & longer....
The List of things TO-DO....
The GROCERY List...
The PARTY List...
The WHAT I NEED TO PACK List...
I've been thinking this week about the CRAZINESS of Life...sometimes it goes smoothly, sometimes it hits all the bumps in the road....
sometimes it's filled with GREAT things...sometimes the worst things....
Rush, Hurry, Cram, Speed, Get-it-done....Go, Go, Go! These are all the words that seem to show up on my list. And, I can't help but think I'm making the WRONG list....I'm truly thinking my List needs to be more like this....
Take time to do something "just because" today
Compliment & Encourage a Friend
Call someone you're missing and catch up with them
Send an email to a far away friend
Realize all the beauty around me
Smile, Laugh, and be filled with JOY
Say the words I LOVE YOU to everyone that I Love!
Be Thankful for everything (even a bad hair day)
Have FUN....it's okay to act six again...to sing at the top of my lungs to the radio, to dance to the beat in my heart, and to dream

10 TyPes Of FriEndS & THinGs

I was recently talking to a few friends from High School on FB about how when we were teenagers we had different types of friends than we do today.
Today, I have the kind of friends that I go on double dates with, go shopping with (even dreaded bathing suit shopping trips!), have wine with whine nights, have dinner with in our PJ's, and are just REAL good friends. You ladies know who you are and I heart you all for being you....see you at wine night ;).

But today's blog is for my fellow thirty-something year old and teen readers, enjoy the walk down memory lane and see if you recognize someone from your life on this list. For my parent readers, knowing these types of kids can help you identify the kind of kids your child hangs out with. I have seen it in some elementary school students already!!!
1) Hanger-Oner
I had one of these in middle school. Remember the Hanger-Oner? That kid who just would not leave you alone. They dressed like you and showed up everywhere you went. I mean, they were nice, and you liked them, but it’s called
b-r-e-a-t-h-i-n-g r-o-o-m.
2) Frenemy
Maybe this is more of a girl thing than a guy thing, but there were definitely those people in High School who pretended to be your friend, and you pretended to like them, but in reality, you didn’t.
3) The I'm-Cooler-Than-You Friend
I had a few friends like this and I seriously wonder why. Although they were cool, smart, and funny they were always trying to impress everyone. Yes, we were friends, and I am grateful, but they always wanted people to live up to their expectations and coolness factor....whatever!
4) Make-Me-Feel-Good-About-Myself-Friend
Ahh, they are the best! In High School, and even now, everyone has to have a friend they can go to when they need to feel better about themselves. Everyone needs a shoulder to cry on every now and then or just a moment to vent or blow some steam with the safety of unspoken trust and non judgemental advice.
5) Wingman or Wingwoman
This is typically a best friend, which you of course can still have later in life. The person you always went on doubles, blind dates and to dances with because we always got along well and most importantly, had totally different taste in men.
6) Homework Friend
This does not have to be someone smarter than you (or a cheater-friend), this is someone who teens all have to go to when they need to make a study guide, plan a study session or as a homework problem. Those you talked to at least once a night on the phone, usually about only school related stuff but, still a good friend.
7) Secret Bitch/Secret Bully
Very similar to frenemies in that they are nice to you in person, but are different because they don’t want to be your friend, they just want to know you enough about you to stab you in the back. Unfortunately, we all know some of those!
9) Family Friend
This friend is who your parents want you to be best friends with because the parents are best friends or you are neighbors and it would just make it easier to carpool.
10) Used-to-be-elementary-school-friend-but-don’t-really-have-anything-in-common-anymore
Oh, these are awkward. You used to climb trees together, you had a Ya-Ya Sisterhood handshake and have really cute pictures of the two of you in a bathtub together, but it just isn’t the same anymore. They are a jock and you are a bandgeek, but you still say ‘hi’ in the halls and invite each other to your birthday parties. Mom and dad will forever be asking you, “how is your old friend ___, you used to be so close!”

We will continue to meet people all the time. Some people will become friends and some won't, and I can live with that. But hey, let Facebook and Myspace serve their purpose! Go find your old frenemy or wingman and invite them for drinks. I did and guess what?.......people really can change for the better =)