Oh! Hey! Welcome! I'm glad you're here. Wanna see my collection? Walk this way…

This is my "Friendship Room." Don't be shy, come on in…

Center stage here above the mantel is my favorite piece. He's Hubby. Ok, so this one would go without saying, but I'm saying it anyway. My best friend, my other half. We can talk about anything. We help each other and grow closer every day. We laugh at our own foibles and those of Punkin. We're each there for the other, even if we're just hanging out in the same room.

Over here on this end table is Erika. She's a treasure. She works here at GSC and we met when Andy mentioned that her brownies might be as good, or even better than mine. I marched right up to her and told her what Andy said. I didn't realize it, but I intimidated her at that first meeting. We've both gotten over that long ago, and now live vicariously through each other. Her brownies are better than mine, by the way. I haven't made any (that didn't start out as a powder mix in a box) for a very l-o-n-g time.

Behind you on the coffee table is Dit. I came across her when I was a wee lass, but have only come to really appreciate her beauty in the past few years. Growing up, we were deep into sibling rivalry. As I've gotten older, I've come to better know the person that she is, and her perspective. We're good friends now, and not just 'cause she's taking me to Catalina in June. She is quick to come to my defense when others are slinging mud at me. (Even if I'm the one doing the slinging.) I'm pretty proud of her.

Let's see. Oh yes. You must come over here and see what's on this wall. Dar, Andy and BB; quite a collection in themselves. These guys understand me, or at least tell me they do. They let me regale them with pictures of Punkin, and send some levity my way when I need it. When asked, they are known to dispense worthy advice. They are like the brothers I never had until eleven years ago when I found out I had half-brothers. Wait, I didn't meet them until seven years ago… well, anyway, continuing around the room…

Oh, on this bookshelf is Heather. She who laughs without making a sound. I haven't heard that sound in ages. My "kinda new-agey" friend. We've been friends since the second day of freshman year in high school, and have had our separations and misunderstandings, but we always come back together. There's a history there that can't be ignored. It's not a book I pick up and read often enough, but it's always there waiting for me when I get a chance to read a few chapters all at once. One should always have at least one friend to laugh about high school with. If you don't believe I was a geek, ask her.

Now, this chair may be slightly faded and a little broken in, but it matches the one on the other side of the room very well. I didn't acquire it new, but found it when I was looking for something else a few years ago. This is Jeri's chair. After telepathically receiving her "gotta call her" messages for a day or so, I sit down in the matching chair and give her a jingle. No matter what mood I'm in when I first call, I'm laughing as I hang up an hour later. Now there's someone I really connect with.

Over here in this bud vase is Nancy. Isn't she lovely? A friendship that (I hope) is just beginning. I look forward to reading her entries every day. I admire and appreciate her writing. She helped me get this web site off the ground, as well as gave me the little push of confidence I needed to get started. Now I have my own place for my words.

The best part of this room is all the nooks and crannies and secret passageways. These spaces are all chock-full of countless other precious treasures who have touched my life in so many ways. If you don't see it, don't think it isn't there. I tend to hang on to things for a long time. One person's clutter is another person's collection.

So that's it. My whole friendship room. Sit down, can I get you anything? Glass of wine, a dish of ice cream, a brownie with Oreo frosting, perhaps? Make yourself at home. I'm so glad you stopped by.

You know, I should really visit this room more often. Maybe sit down in my comfy chair, my favorite mug full of hot chocolate, close my eyes, and just let the atmosphere in this room sink back into me. It really is quite homey, don't you think?

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