The friend hunt

As you all have realized from previous posts, moving back to Great Falls has been a roller coaster transition. When we found out we would be moving, one of the things I was most distressed over was finding friends. I'm the type of person who needs a small group (6-10) of friends. You know, the group of gals you can call at the last minute and say, "Hey, do you want to come play games?" or "I need to go on a walk, want to join me?". It took me a couple of years in Meridian to find an amazing group of friends. For the 1st two years there, I wandered around like a lost sheep, hoping I could entice someone to induct me into their friend circle.


You see, finding friends in your 30's is more difficult than finding friends in your 20's and I'm beginning to think it gets more difficult as your age. By the 30's, women have already found their circle of friends though their children, job, church group, hubbies, etc. It's hard to break into those circles. On top of that, I'll admit, I'm fairly picky. I like having lots of friendly acquaintances, but real girlfriends usually have to meet some criteria. Here are a few girlfriend attributes I try to follow and my deep, down, forever girlfriends follow as well:

• Don't have to talk to each other every minute of every day, but are ready to step it up when one of the gals is in need
• Can go for a week or 2 (or months/years for long distance girlfriends) and you pick up right where you left off
• Punctual. I feel a little jilted when a friend feels their time is more important than mine. It's demeaning.
  
• They are there if they say they are coming. It really bothers me when someone says they are coming and then they just don't show. Now, there are emergency exceptions, but those should be rare.
  
• Realizes you are faulty, and doesn't care.
• Avoids drama (honestly, I swear there are people who thrive on it)
• Doesn't take themselves too seriously
  

So, I'm on the hunt again. It's just as difficult as it was in Meridian. I'd love to have a group to play volleyball/walleyball with monthly. How about the group that gets together to celebrate our birthdays? I miss that for sure. I'm not giving up. Girlfriends are worth it. They keep me sane. Do you think putting out a want ad would sound too desperate? Probably.

Socks, how I love thee.

Every Christmas season for the past 5 years or so, I've hosted a fun & crazy sock exchange. I long for socks the way most women collect shoes. This year was a bit more of a challenge due to the moving and the communal living and the new life and all, so I wasn't sure what to do. My sister was hosting book club for December, including a sock exchange and, much to my delight, an ugly sweater contest. Contest? Did someone mention contest? I'm in!

Coop & I went to Goodwill to find a couple sweaters which would meet my ugly standards. I profusely apologize in advance if you were once the proud owner of either sweater, but really you owe yourself a reward for letting go. Luckily, prior to the sweater hunt, I told Coop not to say anything about the true intent of our trip as to avoid offense. When I went to checkout, the cashier gushed over the fuchsia sweater, asking me where I found it in the store. Cooper kept a straight face the entire time. The cowboy sweater was my favorite. I love the short, square form with just the right indentation at each side. I didn't win, but I was one of the kind-of-hosts, so I asked for no votes. The opportunity to wear my find was reward in and of itself.

Socks are another story. I know socks and I was out for toesies that night. You're jealous...I know, but I was meant for these socks. I did end up hosting a small sock party just a couple days before Christmas. It was a small group but we enjoyed a relaxing evening of food, conversation, and threads for our tootsies. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera.

Hi, ho silver...Away!

Digital 2009 Christmas Card Post

For the 1st, and hopefully only year, I won't be making & mailing Christmas cards, but I didn't want anyone to miss out on the lengthy and incredibly interesting yearly wrap up on our family. Here's the run down:

2009 found Kurt jobless as the economy took down his place of employment in dramatic style. He puts out hundreds of resumes and fills out a multitude of applications trying to secure employment, when low and behold he is hired by a contracting firm in the place of our former residence, Great Falls, MT. He is doing what he loves which is lambasting computer issues for the computer impaired. He works hard for our church ward (that isn't like a hospital ward for the most part) and is trying to live without most of his personal computer parts and gadgets.

2009 found Leslie working as a full time graduate assistant and participating the BSU Educational Technology Master's program full time. The move was bittersweet as she left her incredible friends and beloved home to embrace her missed family and live in the Fairhurst commune. She found a job as the Technology Instructional Coach for East Middle School where she has met the most incredible teachers and staff members and has a job she couldn't love more. She does miss her kitchen utensils, scrapbooking supplies, and belts.

2009 found Hunter finishing his junior year and working at the movie theater which provided free entertainment for his family and an income for his bills. He was thrilled about the move but left behind great friends and mentors. He followed the path of his Great Grandpa to work the summer on hardwood floors with his Uncle Mike. His car broke which was sad for both of us as we have to share and he doesn't share very well. He will finish up his senior year in a few short weeks and then will work to save some $$ for his mission. He is also an Eagle scout so he doesn't have to dodge his Grandpa Lott anymore.

2009 found Cooper in a new school in Meridian with a teacher he enjoyed a great deal. The move has been difficult for him, but he's adapted better than expected. He is in 5th grade now and walks over to my school every afternoon which is a wonderful way to end my work day. He is taking violin in school and is a member of the Young People's Choir here in Great Falls. I love to listen to him sing and hope he continues to work on that talent.

So, if you are still around, that's where we are in this moment. Our home is still for sale in Meridian so we are incredibly blessed to have my parents home to stay in. We know Jesus Christ lives. We are grateful for spiritual guidance and strength as we have worked through this year and for the support of our family and friends. We hope this entry finds you happy and healthy and grateful. Merry Christmas!

Explanation

Meet Wendy, the newest addition to our family. She's Canadian, so she has brought some international flair to our household. Here are some Wendy facts:

She is very thin. She only weights about 3-4 pounds.

She's an insomniac. Sometimes she will lie down but can never get any shut eye. She gets so punchy that she will often find herself in someone else's bed.

She doesn't talk much. Since it's hard to get a word in around here, it's a refreshing change.

Wendy is a prankster. It's almost an obsession. Watch your back.

Wendy is a people person. It's amazing the animated reactions she invokes. People scream, laugh, cry...when they initially meet her. I've never seen anything like it.

She's a party girl, but only likes to go with us. So, if you are ready to meet her, let me know and we'll be glad to accompany her to your upcoming holiday bash.

Ready or not, here she comes.

Squeeze Me

I'm just going to squeeze this in before December. Blog entry condensed style:

Welcomed a new member to the family.

Met the house of mold.

Saw a lady twirl in her skirt time after time.

Was given a lucky stone.

Lost a child, gained an adult.

Had a little help from my sweet in-laws.

Saw a lot of shirtless males.

Laughed.

Cried.

Ate.... a lot.

Saw the exhibit "Poo on a chair"

Slept too little.

Was married longer than ever.

Wished one loving, kind mother a Happy Birthday.

In your face November!

Distant Memory

It's over. October is over. November is such a bully, so I'm going to soothe October by paying homage to our memories.

Hey October, remember when we started off with General Conference? That was one great way to start off a month. Then, remember when Hunter finished his Eagle project?

The snowfall & freezing temps weren't very welcoming, but you ended on a high.

I really enjoyed the opportunity you gave me to teach some trainings. My grandma's birthday was a blast. The Windows 7 party offered some shockers with a set of party goers leaving as another set arrived. Fun times October.

Then there was Halloween. Aside from the wind, it was warm and sunny and full of addictive promise. All in all, you did pretty good October. I would have given you an A+ if you had found a family for our home. I guess you had to leave some fun for November! See you next year and I promise to be more on top of things and ready to decorate and celebrate.

The bird has flown the coop

I've never felt jilted having only boys. Boys are fun to raise. They are fairly easy for the most part, but there is one thing about boys that chills me to the bone. You may remember a previous post titled, "Scouts, schmouts" I wrote. For me, scouts is a pressure filled, treacherous program fill with risk taking in the hopes of attaining a badge, belt loop, knot, or some other masculine trinket.

The epitome of a true scouter is the rank of Eagle scout (do you hear the harps playing...I do). If you dare to take your boys down the path of scouting, be prepared for the wrath of eagle lovers everywhere if your child doesn't make it to eagle scout. There are whispers in the halls and the closer your son gets to the ripe old age of 18, the louder those whispers become.

Here's the deal. I don't do my children's homework. I don't hound them every second of the day about it either. I don't force them into sports. I don't force them into music. If they want to try something, I'll support them (except drugs). I don't micromanage their lives. AND...I don't do their scouts projects for them. So, I'm happy to report that Hunter, at this own direction and in his own, sweet, procrastinistic time, has completed his Eagle project with the help of some incredible people.

Throughout this journey, Hunter has had some dedicated leaders, friends and family who have been loyal to the scouting cause. I appreciate them a great deal. Yesterday it rained, thundered, lighteninged, and hailed...but the dedicated crew pushed on. Congratulations Hunter!!! I knew you could do it.

To all you all whisperers, call me later and tell me who we're whispering at next.