formerly Diane's Addled Ramblings... the ramblings are still addled, just like before, and the URL is still the same...
it's just the title at the top of the page that's new

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Happy Camper...

I'm a happy camper tonight. Ask me why. What's that? Oh, well, thank you for asking! Let me tell you...

I made a friend!

OK, so that made me sound a little pitiful, didn't it? I generally don't find it difficult to make friends but I have to admit, since moving back to Pigsknuckle, it hasn't been a piece of cake. I don't know why, really. I guess maybe, because I work from home and spend most of my spare time with Ryan, I haven't exactly put myself in places where potential new friends are abundant. And I never really feel like I completely fit in when I do meet people here. I dunno.

Anyway... about tonight... here's a bit of back story...

I don't know if I told you guys this, but Ryan's switching schools this fall. She's moving from the county system to the Pigsknuckle city system and that means middle school (in the 5th grade!). I'm more nervous about it than she is. She's leaving all her friends behind but we figured she would meet some kids on the swim team who will be going to her school. It's turned out, though, that most of them are at the other middle school in town or in private schools. Frustrating. Then, last night, one of the swim moms told me that a new family had just joined and they have a daughter Ryan's age... who would be going to her middle school! I was so excited! So I introduced myself to the mom and we chatted for a bit. Then tonight, at the swim meet, we introduced the girls and they totally hit it off. They have all kinds of things in common, interest and personality-wise, and though they both normally take a while to warm up to new people, they were hanging out within minutes!

It was fabulous!

So the mom and dad and I sat together and talked all. night. long. Turns out they grew up here, too, and moved away a long time ago, just like I did. They just moved back last week. We went to the same high school (and I graduated with the dad's older brother). They're both very liberal-minded, funny, and so easy to talk to. The mom mentioned this group, Girls on the Run (a running club for girls from 8-15)... I said I looked into starting a branch here but I couldn't find any other moms interested enough to help me with the really in-depth non-profit stuff... she said she'd been involved in their old town for the past couple of years and she is going to start one up here. I actually squealed! I will be helping with that!

So we have loads in common, we talked non-stop for hours, we live less than a mile from each other, and our kids like each other. How cool is that?!

I made a new friend. And I'm a happy camper! :)

21 comments:

Sherri Murphy said...

Well I'm thrilled for you! That has to feel good. Especially a new friend with many of your same interests. Did she comment on your hair?

(Okay, I hate her really. I'm very jealous.)

HLiza said...

wow i had never met someone with so much things in commom..lucky you..

Melanie Gillispie said...

Noooo! Ryan is NOT going into 5th grade. She's just not! I can't accept that.

But, good for you making new friends.

blognut said...

Yay for you! Your new friend will love you 'cause you're just that kind of person and she won't be able to help herself.

I'm especially glad for Ryan. Now she won't have to be a new kid in her school all by herself. You were meant to meet this family. :)

XO

mo.stoneskin said...

LOL at Sherri's comment.

Happy camper? Doesn't make sense, campers are always miserable. Aren't they?

Zuzana said...

Oh, I can so relate to this! It is fantastic to be able to find people that are similar and that we get along with. Particularly the older we get, the more difficult it is. To make good friends our age is close to impossible.;))
I am happy for you, it is great to make friends outside of blog land.;))
xoxo

Unknown said...

Isn't it wonderful!
It makes you feel like a kid again...
It really is hard to make friends when we are all grown up, so when we do, it really is a blessing..

Happy for you both!

Peace -Rene

Heather said...

Yay!! I'm so glad you met some people that you have so much in common with! Enjoy it!!

Ronda's Rants said...

I am so happy...I knew there had to be others like you there! I miss my liberal buddy who has moved a way...even though Tampa is a big town...it tends to be very conservative!
Enjoy!

Pauline said...

boy, your happiness is palpable! enjoy every moment! new friends are great fun.

Anonymous said...

YAY for new friends! And I have to say I'm SOO envious that you'll be involved with the GotR program! I wanted to get my girls into a group here but the closest one was too far away :( Annnd I'm not sure I have the personality to guide a bunch of girls LOL ... Good for you!! You'll definitely have to let us know how that goes for you.

zipbagofbones said...

That is so exciting! Now just don't scare them away. No pressure :)

Stu Pidasso said...

That's awesome!! I love it when I run into people on the same wavelength as I am. Hard to do most the time as everyone has their own thing going on most the time. Cheers to new friends!

Amy McMean said...

thats awesome!

I wish i could make some new friends. Nothing wrong with the old ones but most of them are married and producing offspring. It would be nice to have some friends who don't check in with their husbands/wives the whole night or rush home to nurse.

Thanks for not making the goofy "oh a guy friend" comments yesterday. I'll be sure to return the favor :)

Heather said...

YAY for new friends!

Debbie said...

I so get this!!! It is so much harder to make friends as you get older..and as circumstances change!! Friendships don't just happen..I am so glad you hit it off and thrilled for Ryan! I know how much better you will both feel first day of school....

me said...

Thats great! Now...if you can talk them into going camping you ve got it made!!!

Michelle said...

Thats very cool Diane!

Sometimes Sophia said...

Middle school girls can be really tough. It would be great for Ryan (and you) to have a strong connection like this going into the start of the school year. Happy Day!!

Jenners said...

I am so happy for you! Making friends is not easy for me ... and I know you have it even tougher in Pigsknuckle. This sounds like a match made in heaven....and a friend for Ryan too. What could be more perfect!

A Woman Of No Importance said...

Great news for both of you - Fate and time were just on your side with this one - Good luck in your running club adventures, and 'Go Ryan', and her new-found pal! x