Here's to the women!

I went to our ward's enrichment night activity last night. (for those of you that aren't LDS, that is the Women's organization night out once a quarter to do "stuff").
Before I went I had learned that the topic was "back to basics" - like cooking basics and stuff. to tell you the truth, I was not thrilled about learning ANYTHING. really, I have a bad attitude when it comes to feeling like I HAVE to do something like learn how to cook bread from scratch. I used to do it when I was in 4-H as a kid, so I figure that if I absolutely HAVE to, I can figure it out okay on my own. Yeah, I am not the world's best cook or housewife and I know it.
SO I went thinking, at least I will be able to get to know some of the ladies in the ward and connect with other women - which is more of what I am about.

I was actually impressed with how much fun I had LEARNING?!?!?! who knew? Amber Overson did such a great job and Mari Tracey was such a cutie teaching us how to make corn tortillas. It was actually fascinating!

BUT, what impressed me most about the evening was the kind of women we have in our ward. I am one that really likes to watch people. it is my favorite hobby. I watch and analyze all the time.
I have such a FUN ward!!!! I mean really, I was cracking up all night! and that is what I am all about. I sometimes struggle with the fact that I have moved away from my "old" friends from high school and the single's ward. Those are the friends that were with me through those years that shaped who I am and cried with me through some of my toughest times and laughed as we watched the sunrise over the beach. I miss them almost to the point of tears at times. I have not been able to ever replace them in my life. SO, as I go forward with where I am today and seek friendships I often wonder if I will ever have friends like that again? Will I be able to let go, laugh til I hurt, stay out all night (well not as often since the kids have come), and just be me without worrying if I am too much of a dork?
last night was so much fun. who knew we could laugh so much while rolling tortillas and getting bread making lessons.
the room was full of these amazing people that I look forward to being around and possibly becoming better friends with. Okay - some of you on this blog thing were there and you are getting to be some of my "best" friends and I so appreciate you. (Brandi, Kendra).
I was just impressed with the quality of people we have in our ward. I once had a friend of mine say that Utah was just full of women that were only about big hair and trying to appear perfect. I had only been here (in Utah) for a few months and was having a REALLY hard time finding friends. I knew there was more to the people of this area. I knew it just took me getting out there to know them. It took ME seeing past hair and make-up and perfect scrapbook pages and canning stuff (which you all have to teach me still). To see that these women are the same silly, funny, crazy people that I want to surround myself with. I look forward to more mundane cooking lessons as long as people like this are there. I think I could enjoy almost anything with the women in my ward. If I could laugh like that learning to make bread, I could really get into anything these guys have to teach me. Maybe I'll even learn how to do mine and my daughter's hair one day? hmmm.... maybe not.
anyway, I think so highly of them and hope for deeper friendships with all of them. Thanks ladies - for being you and making me laugh.