Comfort Zone

Yesterday's trick or treat was a bust.  It rained for far too long and was just too cold.  The girls napped, I caught up on some much needed photo organization and I about froze as I passed out candy to the kids crazy brave enough to face the elements.  All was not lost, however, as we woke the girls up and took them to the annual Lake Mohawk Halloween party following trick or treat.  We have never been in the 2 years we've lived here, but thought it would be a good way for the kids to be able to dress up and see other kids in costume as well.  The party itself was pretty casual, basically neighbors standing around trying to warm up, eating pizza & snacks and they had a small costume contests (in which Maya won 2nd place for the 4-6 year olds--the bride, front and center). 

 

 

And all would have been fine, had I not opened my big mouth. 

 

The girls' pre-school teacher lives in our development and they were excited to see her when we arrived.  About 3 minutes into our conversation I found myself agreeing to take over the Halloween party next year and head the committee (see point above where I mentioned this is the FIRST time we've even attended this function).  Our realtor was standing with me and said "sure, I'll help you"....and quickly their teacher was off to let the current committee leader know her replacement had been found.  What, wait!  What just happened?  I had the opportunity to back out, but I again agreed to do it. 

 

Now, I am a pretty social person, when I am in MY comfort zone.  People have different size zones.  Some thrive in a professional sports-size arena and others would rather exist peacefully in what lies within the tips of their outstretched fingers.  I am somewhere in the middle...,well, maybe closer to the smaller end of the spectrum.  Quite honestly, until I feel I have "control" over something, I often times get a little anxious with something new.  I don't consider myself to be a big "joiner" and certainly not a "social climber" by any stretch of the imagination.  As this lady was talking about what all to do for the party, soliciting donors (I HATE asking people for money), coordinating prizes, food, writing articles and confirming advertising (OK, I like to organize and write) I did start to get a little nervous about what I had gotten myself into. 

 

A few weeks ago at the Y while waiting for Teagan's gymnastics class to start, I got into a conversation with an older gentleman who was a retired school teacher from the local high school.  Turns out he taught social studies (I was a history major) and we hit it off, talking for 10 minutes or more.  He said "you know, I can tell you are a people person.  You have a very warm personality, kind eyes and I bet people just love to talk to you.  You have a gift, you know?  Not many people are a natural like that." 

 

In the two-plus years we've lived here, I have made a handful of new friends & acquaintances, but at times I still feel very isolated from the great groups of friends I have other places.  So sure, why not, I'll take on the party and head it up.  What have I go to lose?  My circle of friends won't get much bigger just hanging in my back yard all summer.  The girls will certainly have opportunities to do more with other kids if I become more involved in the groups that have activities with their peers.  I just have to take the attitude that it's nothing more than a little organization.  A chance to get together a bunch of kids, feed them some pizza and hand out some prizes, get together with neighbors and have a good time.  A chance to be the people-person that I am.  And even though I am still a little nervous, I feel my zone becoming just a tiny bit bigger.