Friday

Pam's second day here held no great adventures, no wild animals, just lunch with my Curves buddies -- Don't be silly! Of course they aren't wild animals! -- and shopping for books before a visit to Mom. All a great experience.

My friends were honoring one of us who turned 69 today. I think I may be the second youngest among this group of ladies who are just what I want to be when I grow up. They look great, have a wonderful time, and are strong intelligent women. They are dealing with life's little and not-so-little issues with courage and humor. When all of your friends are over 60 you accept that they won't always remember the word they are looking for and, if you can find the word for your bud, you know what she means anyway. You grow comfortable with the way you look. You enjoy a bit of bling and can carry off a rhinestone-studded shirt with a certain aplomb. You don't have to wear goofy hats and certain colored dresses to demonstrate that you really no longer give a hang -- but you know you can wear them and get away with it for the first time since you were about 10. I LIKE being a little old lady.