i jut had a wonderful birthday dinner with friends!  when was my birthday? Dec. 26th!  but, due to lack of open real estate on all of our calendars, this was the first date since then that worked.  
we went to a delicious new(ish) restaurant in my 'hood and it made me realize again, just how much i love this area.  this restaurant was (in my opinion) a four star restaurant.  a four star restaurant nestled in next to the uniform store and a family dollar (with bars on the windows!)  but, once you got inside, the ambiance was amazing!  very quaint and artsy, with a beautiful view of the city.  the food was divine!  lamb porterhouse with a lemon mint demi glaze.  beer braised short ribs - YUM! 
and wine.  delicious wine, wine, wine, wine!   yummy wine to make me forget that i might have a screaming baby at home (which, i came home to find out that i did not have a screaming baby at home- which makes this an even better night!)
so, of course with every positive, comes a negative.  my girls night out was not complete without my best friend, who i lost to atlanta last year.  i have been missing her an extra lot lately, but tonight capped me out on the lamenting front.  i wish she were still here.  i wish she were living three doors down (as she was supposed to have done) and coming over for some pre-dinner martinis like we used to always do.  i missed every aspect of her tonight.  and while i had a wonderful dinner with my wonderful friends, there was an absence, as always.  
wishing she were here!  
and going to bed stuffed and happy!