This is it. The tradition for my girlfriends. We're old enough to be MILF's but not quite old enough to be cougars. Friday night has always been girls night. That's not derogatory, quite frankly we'll always be "girls" to each other.

Friday nights are to relax, let down our guard and to tell war stories about our week. When we were much younger, we made battle plans for the weekend and talked about boys. We married those boys and weekends usually consist of housework but we still value our time together.

I am the only one who works in the real estate/ mortgage business. Not too long ago I held the envy of all the five martini girls. I had a career I loved, a man I loved and was making money hand over fist. I usually picked up the tab.

I no longer hold bragging rights to the best career or the most money. My Volvo has been trumped by the Audi 6. It has taken the better part of one year to realize that I still have a career I love, a man I love AND THE MONEY WILL BE BACK so I still have bragging rights.

In the best of times it is so easy to take for granted all the things you love. It takes the hard times and the challenges to really appreciate what is real and worthwhile.

So I'm off to have # 4 and give that man of mine a kiss. The girls understand. I'll catch y'all after # 5.