Getting all social

Back in November, Nola suggested I look into joining MeetUp.  It is a website where people form groups with about a million different interests and they get together and do stuff.  There are groups for almost anything you can image such as coffee, foodies, movies, gaming, book clubs, drinking, dance, etc.

I got brave and joined a group.  I joined a singles group for those over 50.  Looked like an active group and it had great reviews.  Once a month, they meet for drinks up by the U.  So I gussied up and went to my first MeetUp group event.  I got myself and glass of wine and found a place to sit right in the middle of the room.  I set a goal to say hello to everyone that came by and have some good chatter to share.  I ended up meeting some really nice people.  And one woman, Colleen, told me about some other groups to join that were really fun.  So I came home and did just that.  I joined the Ladies Drinking Society (LDS...haha) and a Jazz and Blues group and foodies group,

It wasn't long before the "LDS" group had a happy hour at Flemings.  One of my favorite places and a great chance to meet new people.  Luckily Colleen was there...along with a whole group of friendly and fun women.  And the next week, we had our singles group meet up after work.  Did that one too and saw people again.  And another group started doing monthly dinners out.  I joined a few of those although, the amount of fun you have depends who you sit by.  It is nice to have people to go out to eat with.  And several people cross back and forth through the groups so you get to know people and then you see them again and you aren't strangers still.  Unfortunately, there are lots of events I am just not mobile enough to do. There are hikes, pickle ball, camping, lots of dancing, and on and on.  But I do pick through the ones I think are up my alley.  And I am feeling pretty social which is nice!

I'll keep giving it a go.  Working from home, my social network is pretty limited.  Seems my friends are all busy with their own thing so it is great to get out and meet new people.  You just never know when you will meet great friends or....something more!

Here are some photos.

Dawn, Maryann, and me.  They are in the over 50s and the LDS group.
Unfortunately, I wore this sweater more than once and realized I had a size
sticker right on my boob....the last time I wore it....once I got home.

Me, Maryanne, and.....whats her name.  At Flemings.
Maryann is loud and fun.  Life of the party.

Deborah and me.  She was fun to talk too.  She is on a big diet and
isn't shy about taking about how hungry she is.  I love the realness.

Someone took this photo and posted it on the website.  Look at me
entertaining a flock of men!!!!  Note to self, stop pointing.
It isn't cute but hats off to me for not having resting bitch face.
 I've been working on that.  And for the record, I believe I was pointing
to a woman telling her I loved her long gray hair.  It really was beautiful.
The guy next to me is Steve, across is Paul, and the blond with his back
is Terry.  We wear name tags so it helps keep track.

 I'm proud of myself for getting out there and meeting people.  The really nice thing is any given day, I can dial up the calendar and find a group to go do something with.  How perfect is that??