Guestest With The Bestest

Summer 2010. Me and Amber at Idaho's Craters of the Moon National Monument and Park, right after the hike that almost killed me.

So as I close in on my 46th birthday, I’ve been feeling a tad contemplative. Things are changing for me, and the changes feel just maybe momentuous. And I got to thinking…maybe I’ll take a wee break from blogging – at least writing my own blog pieces, at least during this birthday month, and instead ask some of my friends to guest blog for me. I want different perspectives, I want to see through others’ eyes. I want to be made awake.

And so here it is, the first post from what I hope will be a grand experiment. It makes perfect sense it comes from Amber Kleid, in whose Idaho Falls home just over two years ago I wrote my very first Go Pink Boots piece. When I shall require a obituary, Amber’s gonna have to write it. She’s so kind – and she didn’t even mention that I also might have slightly peed my pants that night outside Dreamers. Now that’s a true friend.

And btw, be sure to check out Amber mornings on Kbear 101. Amber’s not only a beautiful, big-hearted girl, but an awesome talent.

And now on with the show:

Almost 10 years ago I was doing middays for this tiny ass radio station in Philipsburg, PA and I’m gonna tell you right now the ONLY thing that got me through that job was Jill. Our boss introduced us and I thought, “Holy hell, look at that hair! And the nose ring!” I knew I had a friend for life. Someone that was going to get my whacked-out sense of humor and wasn’t going to ask me how I blew my nose because I had two nose rings. I got fired from that job not two months later but today Jill and are still hanging out even though we live thousands of miles apart. As a matter of fact, she’s in my living room right now in good ol’ Idaho Falls, ID.

Let’s be honest, there wasn’t alot to do in our two horse town. So, we spent alot of time learning about each other’s lives at a seedy bar in downtown Philipsburg named Dreamers. Sounds swanky right? It had the best hoagies! We would grab cheap drinks, pop a dollar in the juke and sing “American Pie” at the top of our lungs. There was never a shortage of creepy dudes staring at us all watery-eyed from their bar stools while we laughed loud enough to drown out the rest of the bar.

My favorite (post) Dreamers story was when Jill fell in someone’s flower bed on the way home. I think she even ripped her pants and knocked over a fence. You’ll have to ask her to get the story in all its glory but I still laugh my ass off everytime I think about it.

For those that know Jill I’m sure her party side won’t come as a suprise but did you know that only 10 years ago Jill was TERRIFIED of traveling? I know, right? Now she’s jetsetting her bad self everywhere from Scotland to Thailand to Central America and everywhere in between!

Luckily for me, Idaho just happens to be in the “in between” and for three summers Jill has blessed me and my husband with her awesomeness. We joke about living in Idaho but when Jill visits we see some pretty amazing things (check out the first Go Pink Boots blog post)! Although, I haven’t seen her split her pants yet, we are heading to a big music festival this weekend in Sun Valley and there’s always a first time.

What changed her mind about the traveling? Maybe she set out to prove something to herself as so many of us long to do. I can’t say for sure. But I can say with certainty that she’s found her calling! Everbody needs a piece of Jill Gleeson. Well, that sounds a bit fresh but you get my drift. She’s always been a fantastic writer, but who wouldn’t want to hang out with an extremely smart, funny, outgoing, beautiful, well-traveled, animal-loving, clumsy-as-hell adventure-seeking woman? Even if you never get to meet this fireball she’ll take you to places you’ve never dreamed you’d visit!

Jill is real and I’m so proud to call her my friend while she’s out there inspiring thousands of women to get out and experience life! Here’s to you & your success, Jill – Go Pink Boots!!!