Social Awkwardness in a New Town: Part 1

So, a little over a month ago we moved to Laramie, Wyoming for Cam's work.  I had never been totally convinced Wyoming was even a real place, since I had never met anyone actually from Wyoming...instead it seemed just like a black hole in the US, a big square "state" invented so we'd be at an even 50.  Well, if you've ever found yourself thinking similar thoughts, be rest assured, Wyoming is indeed a real place.


The hardest thing about moving here is that we don't know anyone within a 400 mile radius, so I've spent much of my time trying to "make friends."  The tots and I been going to Pre-K gym day at the Civic Center, read-along time at the Library, and the park nearly every day it's warm and sunny enough to go (and even a few days that weren't).

Which brings me to my first story.  A couple of weeks ago, on a fine sunny day, I spent over an hour talking to this funny hippie lady from San Diego while at the park with the tots.  It was going just fine until we started talking about the lack of good restaurants in Laramie, and I said, "well, at least I made a decent curry at home," and she said jokingly, "that's great...when are we coming over?"


I totally froze in the most super awkward way possible; for what seemed like a very long time, I was thinking, "we don't have a table and chairs yet.  I don't have my pots and pans here.  What if her husband and Cam don't get along?  What if she's really just joking and doesn't actually want to come over?  I don't want to seem too eager to make friends."  Panic, long pause, nervous giggle, then, "heh, yeah, um, yeah, sure, I mean, maybe."  In retrospect, I realize all I had to say was, "anytime!" or something vague like that, or just make a real plan, but instead I panicked, I was embarrassed, she was embarrassed.  Conversation over.


When I got home, I realized I was totally sunburnt.

That's right, I looked like a mouldy strawberry for a week, a painful reminder of my horrible embarrassment at the park every time I looked in the mirror...or brushed up against something.

It's okay.  At least I have this one...

...and one of these...

...to keep me company while Cam is at work.  Who needs friends anyway, right?


Stay tuned for my embarrassing story about when I met the Pioneer Woman a few of weeks ago, coming soon, and after that a blog post about love.