Social Graces: high school

This past weekend I went on vacation with my close high school friends. From as close as Ocala to as far away as Spain, and everywhere in between, we all met in St. Pete Beach for a weekend of fun in the sun! Several months ago Abby called to tell me they were planning a trip and I better be there. I believe her exact words were something like "put it on your calendar now before you book it up!" So Friday I began my long trip down south but made a stop in Ocala to drop off Fern conveniently at lunch time. Mom and daddy took me to Latinos and it was delicious as always!

I had so much fun with all of my friends from high school plus the additions to the gang by way of girlfriends and fiances...15 of us total! Our group of guy friends have grown up together and have been extremely close. They are always the ones who plan the get togethers and their dynamics are hilarious. When I was invited I was so thrilled. They have always included me even though I moved away after we graduated. For the most part this group went to school in Gainesville and have remained in each other's daily lives, but they've always welcomed me right back whenever I was in town. This is what I love about these people. It's so crazy to think that we left the halls of Forest High School over 6 years ago and what's even cooler is seeing the professions my friends are embarking on - one is about to finish Dental school and another is starting Medical school in the fall. And I'm not bragging by telling you all of their achievements. It's just that if you know them like I do...well you would be amazed too :)

I can't say we had any food worth a mention but dinner was never boring to say the least. However, on Saturday morning a few of the girls went to a local establishment, Seahorse, in nearby historic Pass-a-grille beach. The food was standard but the atmosphere was neat. It was established in 1938 and there were lots of old Florida memorabilia on display.

I said goodbye on early Sunday morning and headed to Tampa to have brunch with some of my close college girlfriends. We met at Pinky's and I want to go back right this instant. The food was divine. All of the girls ordered an open-faced frita-ta and I ordered a delicious oatmeal pancake. My favorite part of this cafe was the antique hutch full of eclectic coffee mugs that you can grab and fill and re-fill as you wait for a table. My kind of place. It was so good to see my sweet friends too! I do believe another rendezvous is in order, soon.

It was a long day of traveling back to Tallahassee but I enjoyed replaying the fun I had in my head with Fern fast asleep in the passenger's seat. The trip was overall too short and we are all longing to still be there right now. Hopefully our travel agent, Mr. Jones, will start working on next year's adventure!