eat, drink and be merry

five years ago, i invited some of my girlfriends to come play bunco. at the time, it was a way for me to take my mind off of my looming empty nest. spending time with my friends was a reminder, of sorts, of the good things in my life that didn’t specifically revolve around motherhood. since then, it has become one of my favorite holiday traditions and last night, was no exception.

my goal for having bunco during the month of december is to give us all an evening of light and laughter… to set aside a few hours of the holiday hustle to just be together.  and to that end, everyone brings either an appetizer or dessert to share with the only requirement that it is a stress-free as possible.

i would just like to go on the record by saying that anything you can dip with a chip or spread on a cracker is my favorite food group.

eat all the dips!!!

anyway, this morning when i got up and saw the champagne glasses sitting by the sink (thank you tripp for helping me with the dishes!) i just smiled to myself. and then i offered up a little prayer of gratitude for these wonderful friends of mine.

most of the gals that come to bunco i know through work. friends i made at i my previous job. and although alot of us have changed jobs and are scattered around the tulsa oil and gas biz, we still try to stay in touch. but even if we haven’t seen each other (sometimes for years) it’s like we pick up right where we left off.

that’s the thing about ‘work’ friends…they become a sort of makeshift little family. work friends see you day in and day out. good days and bad hair days. they celebrate the joyful moments..they listen when you’ve had a fight with your spouse. they hug you in the midst of your ugly cry. and they remind you who you are when you’ve forgotten.

i am so, so grateful for my friends. they continually inspire me and teach what it means to lead a brave, vulnerable life. and i can’t imagine any better way to kick off the month of december!