I don’t know why, but I have been really resistant to put myself out there and make new friends. I know – you’re shocked! But it’s true, I’ve been hesitant to meet new people. (In every day life.)
I think it has a lot to do with blogging. I feel like I have all these amazing women at my fingertips that I don’t really feel the need to reach out in real life.
I have my favorite friends at church, long time friends, my favorite friends of friends I now call my friends, and of course my fabulous Book Club and Mavens friends. Totalling less than 25 people.
For me, it’s hard to keep up with that many people on a regular basis! I can’t deal with the stress of more.
However, lately I’ve been feeling guilty that I’m not more involved in my neighborhood. I really want my boys to have friends that I don’t have to drive them to play date. So in an effort to better the social life of my kiddos, I finally did it. I went to my neighborhood’s girl game night. They don’t play Bunco, they play LCR.
I was a little nervous about it. I only knew two other ladies there and wasn’t quite sure how things would go. However, I should have known better. Get some margarita’s in hand and life is all good. I announced a couple times that I’ll just have Dr. Pepper and that I don’t drink to lay down some ground rules and then struck up conversations and tried to be social.
However, I don’t think I made a good impression. You should know that I get a kick out of being the “devil’s advocate” at times. Yes, it’s true. {{This post is full of confessions.}} I love to call things out because I think it’s funny and quite entertaining. {{for me at least}}
Anyway, back to the story. In the game there were only 2 people left and one of the ladies asked the other if she wanted to split the pot. The chick said yes. They realized that the other ladies may not like that and so they made light of it and asked if anyone else minded if they split it. The shy person that I am, I peeped up and said, “I only mind if you’re sitting next to me!” {{boisterous laugh out loud}}
The ladies then realized that I was right – if your sitting next to the person who splits it – they could be taking the win from you. Can you say “awkward”. {{silence}}
I then tried to cover myself and say I was really only kidding and that I didn’t mind at all. I may have said something about the new girl messing up the game and luckily there was laughter and the game resumed. {{close one}}
Luckily, I scoped out 2 possible mom’s with kiddo’s my boys ages. Now the strategy is to see them at the pool and exchange phone numbers. Then maybe pop on by during a family walk to introduce our kids to each other. I’m on the prowl. We’ll see how it goes.
I think I just turned into a play date stalker. Man! Who ever coined the phrase, “Dog days of summer” had kids.
I’m laughing because I TOTALLY play the devil’s advocate thing?! I gets me into trouble at times too. I usually agree with the person, but it’s so much more stimulating to get deeper into a subject that way!! We would be great friends!
YOU?!?!? DEVIL’S Advocate?!! I’m shocked, shocked! {wink, wink!}
You are a treasured friend. Hugs!
We will be your friends. My kids are a little wild, and sometime I feel really out of control. But, if you don’t mind that, then we can have wild and out of control playdates. Seriously:)
Did I send you my email address?
Keri Campbell
I JUST posted about this same thing yesterday! It’s hard to get out there, but it has to be done for your kids. I’m a play date stalker now too!!! LOL.
Love the story! You are hilarious!!!
way to go putting yourself out there and hunting down pals for your kids to playwith. i’m kind of the same way, and figure i have tons of real friends, 2 bunko groups, a book club, a girls night out group, and b log friends coming out my ears. why do i need more friends? honsestly i don’t think i do but someone else out there might need a friend and so i’m open to it. i feel like i should try harder in my ward/neighborhood, and even with my GNO and bunko friends to let our kids be friends.i guess i just take for granted that my kids have each other to play with , and cousins galore. and let them make friends in the neighborhood. and actually let them be social. I’m really bad about it.
thanks for the good example Laurie. you are a rock star. hope the new friends thing pans out for you.
Hey good for you! I’ve been meaning to go to our neighborhood girl’s nights, but haven’t had the guts to get up and go…glad I have a role model!!!
By the way, I so loved sitting behind you at church on Sunday. That little Drake is so dang cute!
Laurie–You’re such a great mom–I think you’d do anything for your kids. Here’s just one more example.
I love how you are always so honest. I wish our boys still lived close to each other. We should get together sometime this summer?
I have a hard time putting myself out there sometimes too! I think it’s blogging TOO!!!
Thanks for being real. I love real people.
Is that picture recent? You look F-A-B! All tan with cute hair.
You are definately a better person than me out there looking for play dates and such. My kids generally fend for themselves. Luckily for them they are uber social.
Myself, I struggle and get overwhelmed with too many people in my life. I am not able to be a quality friend to more than just a few people. I count myself blessed to have the friends I have.