Tea Time

Yesterday I met a couple girlfriends at a local tea room for lunch. This particular tea room has only been open a few months. The tea room requires reservations and is always packed. The pictures I've taken were after the lunch time rush hours. We sat at that table in the window.



This tea room is located in South Charleston, WV. I lived for 30 years in South Charleston before we built a home in Hurricane, WV. As you can see by the pictures the tables are elegantly covered with yellow print table cloths, and dressed with linen napkins and dainty tea cups. Going to a tea room gives me the feeling of being pampered.

This is my friend Alicia. As you can see behind her, the tables are covered with yellow print tablecloths and dressed with linen napkins and tea cups made of fine china.

This is my friend Jill. Behind her is a lovely reproduction of an antique secretary and a welcoming table and guest book. I noticed one of the names in the guest book were from England. They must have been visiting friends in the area.

Here's yours truly. Lots of exciting stuff behind me... Alicia had recently returned from an art retreat in Ohio where she learned some tricks to collage. She brought a couple pieces to show off her handy work. (Why didn't I take of picture....I forgot about my camera until after lunch). After lunch, Jill and I walked across the street to browse through an antique store. I really enjoy my friends!

Friends

Yesterday afternoon I had lunch with two very dear friends I met early in my career. Jill and I are retired, while Alicia is struggling to make the leap. We get together for lunch about every month to catch up on what's happening. Jill and I see and talk with each other very often, but we only see Alicia at our luncheons.

While we try not to talk about our working days, this lunch was all consuming of work issues. I had made a comment recently to Jill that I was having trouble finding who I am. She brought this up at lunch. While we were working we would always introduce each other as Jane Doe, Director of Something or Another. That was "WHO WE WERE". It was never Jane Doe who loves to scrapbook, read, garden, blog, (you get the picture). For 20 years, I was Linda, Director of Something or Another. It seems the name and title were tattooed across my forehead. I was Something or Another, but who am I now?

Looking back when I first got married in the 60's I never liked being called John's wife. Even at that time I wanted my own identity. I knew who I was when I worked, but now I'm retired, who am I?

After we hashed over all the problems of the working world we were finally able to catch up on what is really important. After lunch we drove over to an antique market to do a little shopping. It's so good to get together with these ladies, and I'm so thankful I'm going to be able to sleep until 9:00 a.m. in the morning.

And, as far as who I am, I'm retired and loving every minute of it!!!