It's the beginning of the end and I'm bummed about it. From this point on, we'll be saying a lot of good-byes. Good bye to work friends, church friends, family, and school friends. And in a few short weeks, sometime in the middle of August, we'll arrive in Japan and start the whole process of making new friends all over again.
And that stinks. Wanna know why? Because to know is to love us. But to first meet us, is usually to feel slightly disturbed and uncomfortable; possible frightened by us. Not ideal for the making of first impressions.
Here are a few of the more annoying character traits we possess which may or may not scare off potential friends:
1. We're chronically late. Especially to church.
1a. This is all my fault and I take full responsiblity.
1aa. Sunday is the one day of the week I bother to do all of the following things: *Take a shower. *Blow dry and style my hair. *Apply make-up. *Coordinate a matching outfit comprised of a clean and wrinkle free clothing. *Shave my legs.
(Every other day, you may get up to three of those things, but it's a crap-shoot. Only on Sunday do I go all out. And it's hard when sleeping in until the last possible minute.)
1aaa. I don't always shave my legs.
2. We're sarcastic.
2a. This is mostly Doug's problem. I mean "special trait". When we meet new people together, the first thing I say is "Don't take anything he says seriously. He's just kidding. He's very sarcastic." This may or may not prevent that person from being offended at the first thing out of his mouth. Or they may or may not think I'm just being sarcastic.
3. We're a bit messy.
3a. Doug truly believes he's a neat-nick. But he's not, and neither am I. And surprisingly, neither are our kids. So our house may appear a little cluttered, though I like to think of it as "alternatively styled".
3aaa. At least I keep my Ikea dishes in Rainbow order!
4. Our boys are not always calm and don't always play well with others.
4a. Some might use the word "naughty".
4aa. Some might also use "out-of-control, undisciplined, demonic little terrors." But they would be wrong because our boys are NOT that little.
5. I'm bossy and opinionated and I probably over-share far too early in every relationship. That's just part of my charm.
You're probably thinking; "That's not MY problem with the Dubs. MY problem is that they have terrible breathe and they're close-talkers!"
Whatever the case, we do have some redeeming qualities; We're good at making yummy breakfasts, and we like to do fun stuff! And sometimes Doug is really funny when he tries. (And after I've coached him a little.)
But we still need a little help. So here is what I want to know;
*What do you look for in potential friends?
*What attracks you to someone, (or to a couple) that makes you want to get to know him/her (or them) better?
*What are your friend turn-offs?
* Can you, personally, be bought with baked-goods? If so, what kinds?
As an added incentive for you to comment, the person to leave the BEST ADVICE (as determined by Doug and I) will win some HOMEMADE SNICKERDOODLES!!! Because until I know better, I'll just keeping using this method to win friends and influence people. GOOD LUCK!
(Please feel free to comment even if you're a lurker. We need all the help we can get!!! Who know's if people in Japan can be bought with Snickerdoodles!?!?)
(FYI, you do NOT need an account to comment. Just check the "name" circle and type in your name.)
