Seven strangers.......

I just spent an entire weekend away with 6 women I didn't even know existed a year ago, and all we initially had in common was being carriers of FX and having children affected by it.  Writing out a check at the end of the weekend I had to ask Roxanne "So, how DO you pronounce your last name exactly?"
Because of my suspicious nature I didn't rule anyone out as a serial killer prior to the weekend (because COME ON, you never know, their neighbors always say "We had no idea! She was such a nice person!) but we all survived the weekend (at least this one) so I'm assuming a psychopath in our midst is mostly ruled out. (MOSTLY).  However, we still managed to get some local stalking in.

Our first night, out for dinner, Lola promptly checks us all in on facebook.  She immediately gets teased for possible 'safety and security' violations (celebs?), but we ARE two hours away from home and who could really be interested in a bunch of boring moms out for dinner?
Within an hour we get a round of shots delivered to our table with this note....

No one seemed to be particularly concerned at first (but paranoid me) and I'm wondering WHO THE HELL KNOWS WE ARE ALL FX MOMS?   We couldn't figure out who it was or recognize anyone, until (finally) Lola got up off her ass and saw Ed Hanrahan hiding at the bar, a long time Fragile X advocate from Massachusetts!  How bizahhhh! We hung out with Ed and 'enjoyed' the band playing 70's muzak.

Later that night we enjoyed the fruits of our newest addiction 'Pinterest' - gummy bears soaked in vodka.  YUM! Only up until 2 am...maybe later...

Then of course I can't sleep and am up at 8am.  Portsmouth is a beautiful old New England seaside town, cobble stoned streets lined with tiny pricey storefronts.  We parked at the hotel and walked all weekend. 

We ate breakfast at the coolest and funkiest breakfast joint (the grease smell only lingered in our hair for half the day) and proceeded to walk, shop, talk and eat through the streets of Portsmouth for the entire weekend. 

The strange thing after hanging out with everyone for a while is it's tough to figure out who's the bigger bitch - I mean 'most assertive woman.'  I found it interesting all  the women are very opinionated and don't hesitate in direct requests.  It must come with the territory - you have to speak up to get what you want for your kids, or else they won't get it.  If you aren't an advocate, you'll have to become one.
It's also strange because we only know the 'post FX' women, not the women we were 'before' this whole waved crashed on us.  I'm always curious to know the women inside the moms.  

Requisite bathroom shot with the flamingos, of course. I'm still 13 years old deep down.

 
Caution - must love shopping to hang with this gang.....Store after store after store after store.  Naps were needed by some...

Cecelia insisted on a palm reading and Aimee had hers read also.  The rest of us listened intently in the waiting room as the 'pyschic' was clearly grasping at straws - or at least her ball was foggy that day - as she told them their 'children were academically advanced' and asked "Are your parents sick?" "No" "Well, they will be."

As we were departing and trying to not outright laugh in the charlatan's face, Cecelia rummaging through her purse for her wallet - Aimee quipped "I foresee your wallet getting lighter!" 

At least I made it out the door before snorting.


Saturday afternoon I attempted to ban any talk of children or bodily functions/fluids (UNLESS it was your own)....so you know what we ended up talking about...political and religious debates....yeahhhhhhhh suuuuuuuuuuuuurre.  Honestly, I can't disclose the subjects as to protect the guilty. 

Good motto for us all...

 
Saturday night and dinner at the waterfront River House....

"Mainly Blues" drinks.

The view from our hotel rooms, overlooking downtown Portsmouth and Market Square...Only up until 2 am...or later...once again.  So much for catching up on sleep!

Brunch our final morning at The Blue Mermaid Restaurant - Can you feel the love?  Husbands frantically texting "When are you coming home?" and NONE of us wanted to leave.  We had a relaxing wonderful weekend, laughed our asses off, and completely enjoyed each others company.  Strangers become friends.

If we ever all happen to 'coincidentally go missing' at the exact same time, we will NOT be living in a sister wives commune in NH.  DO NOT look for us there (or anywhere tropical....).

Love these ladies.