Granola or Oatmeal?

*Note: The below pics are old...like from homecoming last year. But in my defense, I just found my camera charger and am just now getting these off my camera. I figured my fellow Gamma Sigmas would wanna see these pics. AND because of the story below, I needed to show you the girls that are the unique joy of my heart!!*

Not long ago my homegirls from college came to Birmingham for the weekend. As always, we picked up where we left off. We talked, laughed, wined, dined, and of course...shopped. Some of these girls live right up the street and some I haven't talked to or seen in several years. But we always have so much fun and it feels like we've never left each others sides. We feel free to tell each other what to wear, how to drive, and to avoid diet sodas...but always skip the part about how to raise our kids!

In my case, the girls have coined me the "granola" of the group. I do realize I do some "crunchy" things (i.e. no vaccinations, paperless in the kitchen, I recycle, would love my own chickens, but settle for local farm eggs, I'd give birth with a midwife on a farm somewhere if that didn't freak my husband out, and I avoid traditional medicine as much as possible...and ok, I want my nose pierced...sometimes...nothing big...just a tiny dot). Anyway, the girls think I'm crazy....and they told me so.

Now they say they are afraid I'm going to start wearing patchouli!!! I mean give me a break. I do not smoke anything, and don't need to wear patchouli to cover it up! Anyway, my "friends" have resorted to shamelessly making fun of me on Facebook!!! And I'm not on FB. I mean, whatever they need to do to feel good about themselves. So here I am, trying to defend myself, and I don't think I'm doing a very good job. But I have friends who eat all organic, others who are vegan, others who drive "green" cars (mine's a gas-guzzling SUV). Point being, I think I'm the watered version of granola (made with organic milk of course)...making me oatmeal.

Me, Ellen, Jenn, Michelle, Nikki and Stacy

How cute are these letters? Everyone decorates them so cute now. Precious.

The four of us made the trip together and shared a hotel room. Lots of laughs!

Me and Elle Belle...at Half Shell like the good ole' days!

Jenn and Stacy

Ellen, Christina (who is prettier than the day I met her 15 years ago!) and me

It was so awesome seeing all of these girls who I haven't seen in years and years. Good times!