Girl's Weekend In Gainesville

Christina, Rena, and Reba and I had been trying to organize a girl's weekend. We went to St. Augustine a couple years ago but since then things got a bit hectic for everyone so we hadn't been able to meet up all together again. Finally we all decided this would be the weekend and that we would meet up in Gainesville. Rena has a house there and said she could kick out her husband so we could have it all to ourselves.  Reba lives in Tallahassee so she came from there and Christina met me at my house and then the two of us drove up.  Reba was going to be later than we were so we met up with Rena at a Mongolian Stir Fry and had a wonderful dinner. I had never been to a place like that so it was a fun and new experience for me.  I followed Rena home and then we unwound from the 2.5 hour drive and dinner and just relaxed and talked a bit.  Reba showed up just after 11 and I was exhausted because I usually go to bed by 8:30 since I have to wake up so early on work days. We talked a little longer then I headed to bed. Reba had an interview in Ocala so she had to head out until lunch time. Rena, Christina and I wanted to get pedicures so after trying one place that was packed and said they

couldn't help us all at once we stopped at another place that was completely empty and had plenty of employees to help us. I was so happy to get a pedicure, it had been several months since my last one and my toes were feeling very neglected. I chose a pretty blue color and after getting nice and pampered the three of us went to Target. We just kind of wandered around and did a little shopping. I found a cute maternity jacket (surprisingly of the 6 pregnancies I have had I have never bought any) and some headbands--the children keep taking mine. After we killed some time we heard from Reba who was on her way back so we decided to all meet her at Chick-fil-a for lunch. I was starving so this was not a moment too soon. Rena is also pregnant, with her first baby, and is due just a couple weeks after me (actually on Peter's and my anniversary).

We ate lunch and then headed back to Rena's so we could consolidate cars and so Reba could change out of her interview clothes.  Next we went to a state park called Devil's

Millhopper which was actually a sinkhole. The park had a probably a couple hundred stairs leading down to the bottom where there was a little stream and lots of plant life. It was really pretty nice and shaded so it wasn't too hot. After we made the trek back up all the stairs Rena and I rested while Reba and Christina walked around a trail that looped around.  We decided next we would head to the mall to do

some window shopping. Rena had told us that they didn't really have good deals up there and that Orlando was usually better but it didn't stop us from looking.  Peter would be proud that I walked away empty

This morning

handed but Rena and Tina bought a few things.  We stopped at the grocery store on the way home and picked up a movie and some things to make
dinner. Back at the house we made a nice big salad as well so spinach stuffed tortellini with spinach in a sun-dried tomato oil with parmesan. I mostly supervised and then enjoyed the food. My feet were a little too sore to stand much after our day. Christina and I played a game of Flash Point while Reba rested a bit and Rena took a shower and then we all headed out for ice cream.  Reba told us all about this place that makes homemade ice cream and how we couldn't leave without trying it.  It was also her and Rena's birthday earlier in the week so we

needed some sort of sweet treat to celebrate.  I got the house chocolate and Reba was right, it was very good. We went back to the house once again watched the movie we had picked up while Christina and I added some fun stamps to our pretty nails.