Lisbeth is faced with decisions

I went to see a friend of mine today. The official reason was to help her with some computer/internet-related issues, but we had lots of fun. After we worked out the internet stuff, she and me and her two boys went to Chuck E Cheese’s for lunch (I should mention that this made Seth insanely jealous). That’s always fun, I think, since it seems like I always find a way to play a little skeeball. The lane I played today had an awesome malfunction: after nine balls, it stopped keeping score (or dispensing tickets), but it didn’t stop releasing balls to you. I played for 5 minutes on one token! That rocked.

I haven’t had time to visit with her for almost a year, and so I hadn’t seen the boys either. They’re 4 and 8, so the changes since the last time I saw them were remarkable. The youngest has shot up like a beanpole, and his speech is resembles actual English (as opposed to his toddler interpretation). The older one, who was already a pretty big kid for his age, is jus a big ole’ bear of a little boy. It’s almost unbelievable. Except, of course, when I stop and remember that they’re kids, and one of their primary jobs is to grow up. It just makes me feel old to be so very aware of that.

In the last two days, I’ve gotten three emails from friends with life updates.  While two of these friends know each other (having gone to high school together and sharing a mutual friend, moi), none of them are related.  It’s almost like the universe is saying, “Okay Lisbeth, you’ve been a reclusive newlywed for long enough!  Go hang out with girls again!” And here’s the thing - I totally want to!

I want to connect with the people who used to be such a huge part of my life.  It’s hard though (dur..).  Of those three friends mentioned above, one is in the next state over (about 2 hours away).  The other one is in DC, and the last is apparantly in Korea!  I have to admit that I’m so out of touch with the last that I didn’t even realize that she was headed out of the country.  On the other hand, though, it’s always fun to hear that kind of news.  And, to be fair, this is the same friend who found out about my marriage when I sent out a mass email with my new name and mailing address (sheesh - I’m a pretty crappy friend, huh?).

Anyway, if any of my old friends are looking for me and bother to google me, here I am:

Hi guys!  It’s Lisbeth Ohse!  I mean, my name is a little different now, but you found me!

I think maybe I should go write everyone back now.  And maybe initiate a few letters of my own with others who haven’t emailed recently.