It's funny because it's true. And don't even think about saying you're 110 percent sure about something.

*Credit SingleSassy.com http://singlesassy.com/2012/02/01/did-i-use-the-wrong-your-again/

I've said, many times, that motherhood is like middle school: to get through it alive, you need a friend. Just one.

That's absolutely true. It's true of everything, really. Exams. Your grandmother's cancer. The inevitable but still somehow soul-crushing break-up with the guy whose eyes are unbelievably blue. (His name wasn't really William. That was his middle name. KSB, you'll figure it out if you really think about it.)

One true friend is all you need, and I have two. Two call-me-any-time-even-if-I-just-got-the-baby-to-sleep friends. They're the ones--the only ones--I can complain to about 1977 without them judging him or bringing up the complaint three weeks later when I say he's a saint. 

We kept in touch in New Zealand. We keep in touch via phone (and I HATE the phone, so that's saying something.) We send text messages.

But it's not the same. They're not here. No one is *here*. I'm living in Seattle without a single friend, let alone someone right next door who could gab over tea for hours. Where is she? My new buddy must be somewhere nearby, but there's no divining rod for that.

Whistler Blackcomb is our closest big ski resort, but I had no idea which areas were nearest to the slopes.

Cue infinitely-organized trip planner. I love figuring out where to stay, how near the mountains are to each other, and where our girls will take lessons. (Already, 2008 has had two sets of lessons. Little 2010 had lessons in New Zealand! Of course, 2013 is still waiting her turn. She has no idea what's coming.)

Needless to say, now I know. And the trip is planned. (And Whistler Village is the answer.)

This picture represents the worst trick New Zealand played on me. 

Sarah Quigley, who published TMI in 2009, is one of my closest friends. Imagine my delight when one of Christchurch's libraries sported a huge sign: "Writer Sarah Quigley, here tomorrow!"

Okay, it's really far-fetched that my Sarah Quigley would try to surprise me halfway around the world. . .but I wanted it to be true. 

After a little sleuthing, I found this Sarah Quigley, the kiwi Sarah Quigley, who has written several books and is quite good. I sent this screen shot to 1977 to let him know that my Sarah Quigley hadn't come to surprise me. Also, two writers named Sarah Quigley! Fun coincidences!

If you don't know CPG Gray, go see him on YouTube. Now.

He explains complex things, like the difference between the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and England. New Zealand is part of the Realm, so new citizens swear an oath to the Queen, and she's on their money. But kiwis are largely self-governing, which confused me for a while.

I watched the video eleventy-seven times before I took this screen shot as a reminder of how The Crown works..