I just got through chatting with two of my favorite friends -- Twinkie and Skippy. They make me laugh so hard, I have to pee. I have so many wonderful memories of our fun times; meeting for lunch and sharing the three-dip platter; or the nights we would drag Skippy out to the redneck bar -- even though he does not drink.

I had a surprise call today from Stasko, another long-time friend. Somehow life just got in the way and it's been years since we have talked. I met Stasko at my first post-college job. We had so much fun at the "The Museum" I am surprised we ever got anything done.

Everyone had a role to play in our little "work click." Sarah was the mother of the group, the one who made sure we followed all the rules and wore our sunscreen. "Shurl" was the crazy aunt who was always found something fun for us to do and you never knew what she would say next. Waldo was the desperate little brother who got on your nerves but you couldn’t help loving him any way. Stasko and I were the wild children, the free spirits always looking for entertainment. We could be the life of the party one minute and full of drama the next. In fact, Stasko was with me the first night I ventured into a redneck karaoke bar.

That night we were celebrating her birthday and we started the night drinking Margaritas. After diner and drinks (yes we were a little tipsy) we went to see "My Best Friend's Wedding" and I have never laughed so hard. Our other friend, Sarah, kept telling us to be quiet. The more she complained the harder we laughed. Finally Sarah got so mad she got up and moved to the other side of the theatre. I still crack up when I see the Crab Shack scene when they sing "I Say a Little Prayer for You" because it reminds me of that great night. After the movie Sarah had had enough of us so she went home and Laura and I met up with my old high-school boyfriend at the notorious Kat's & Cards.

It's funny how often I have thought about Stasko; even though we had lost touch. We shared so many adventures and so many things remind me of her. I was at the end of a very bad marriage and Stasko taught me that I could live it up and have fun. From road trips to Turfway to the infamous weekend at the lake, mid-day trecks around the Downs, the Gala with the gay boys, downtown "dance" clubs in the red-light district, betting on darts at the Mag Bar on New Year's Eve and buying pretty pink lipstick for "Shurl's" birthday; even simple events could turn into full fledge adventures when Stasko and I were together.

On my 40th birthday H3 took me to a local Hibachi Grill. When the waiter walked up to introduce himself, all I could think about was Stasko's going away party at Jillian's. It was another memorable night when we convinced our waiter – Dennyhana – to hang Stasko's bra from the overhead air vent.

I love the way that thinking about old friends makes me smile.

There are so many reasons why it sucks to get old. But one of the biggest reasons is that you have to watch former teen idols turn into ugly old men.

When I was a tween (I think we called it pre-teens) I was obsessed with Leif Garrett. I used to imagine what our wedding would be like and how our children would look. So imagine my disappointment to discover he looks more like the BTK killer than the golden haired hunk I remember. Of course looking at him makes me wonder, do I look older than I realize.

When I was home for the holidays I was trying to act more mature, more my age. In fact, Twinkie commented more than once on how silly I was being. Of course it's easy for her, she is still thirty-something.

At what point do you accept that you should tone it down? Or is it better to live it up while you can. I just don't want to be one of those pitiful women; you know the one everyone laughs at behind her back.

It's funny how some people get nicknames that really stick. Like Twinkie, someone called her that one night at redneck karaoke and it just stuck.

A few years ago Starla started calling my youngest son Noodle. Every time she did it, he would puff up and say don't call me that. But over time it became a game between the two of them and deep down he liked that she had a special name for him.

I am not sure why, but the other day I remembered how she called him Noodle and for the first time in a long while it felt like a good memory.

So Noodle turned seven on Monday. It was his first birthday away from all our family back in the 'ville. A few days before the big day he looked at me and asked "How will my family get all the birthday presents here?"

I had this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. How could I tell him that it's out of sight out of mind? For the firs time in his life there would not be a party that included sisters, brothers, cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles. It would be just me and H3.

When I asked Noodle what he wanted to do he told me he wanted to go to the Build a Bear Factory. Noodle loves animals and his favorite is the cat. He tells everyone he meets how he is a cat person. So Noodle picked out his cat, stuffed it, gave it a heart and a meow sound, picked out a pair of cowboy boots and cowboy hat and finally named his stuffed cat Whiskers.

From there we headed to Toy R Us to look for Star Wars toys. I'm not sure why but Star Wars figures were nowhere to be found. But he did pick up another game for Xbox while we were there. I also picked out a "Nightmare Before Christmas" game for Xbox as a surprise gift from his sister and a Scooby Doo movie as a gift from his brothers.

From there we went to Chuck E Cheese. After a couple of hours of pizza and games we headed back toward home for cake and presents. When I was tucking noodle into bed that night he looked at me and said "This was the best day I have ever had."

I was one of the best days I've had too.

The two week visit to the 'ville is over. It was very strange being back there. I had convinced myself that I was so homesick but as I drove around town I realized that I really did not miss it that much. Well except for the great food. Twinkie and I had lunch one day at my favorite Asian place and I savored the hot and sour soup. I wonder if she could overnight me a batch every few weeks.

When I moved away from home 20 years ago, once-a-week phone calls were the only way to stay in touch. Now between cell phones, e-mail and blogs I stay in constant contact with family and friends so it did not seem like we had been apart.

Another strange twist was that my parents and brother moved outside of the city limits a few weeks after I moved away. So it really did not feel like I was going home. I hated the fact that you have to drive 20 minutes just to get to anything. H3 and I really missed the town we live in where almost everything is within a 3-mile drive.

It was strange staying at my parent's new dream home. The guest quarters are bigger than my entire house. I realized that I have spent the past 6 months bitching about this small cottage I live in but after being in such a big house I remembered why H3 and I wanted to downsize.

While I still miss everyone I have to admit that the trip made me realize just how non-stressful our life has become since we downsized and moved to Mayberry. In fact that is why we did it. Funny how it took this trip to remind me just how chaotic our lives had been.