Even just one or two kindred spirits make a huge difference, and you never know which corner they are waiting around. Or sometimes just plugging away with someone you never think of as a kindred spirit turns them over time into a good friend.

Harrumph.

Been thinking about this myself — as I strike up conversations with people in my various prenatal classes (swimming, zen birthing — yes, I know, OH PUHLEAZE, but I live in the Bay Area, and basically, if you can sprinkle Buddhism on it, there’s a class scheduled somewhere).

I think really good friends are like husbands — it takes a lot of time, effort, energy to A) find one, and B) train them. Okay, kidding a bit about the training.

Anyway, I’m just babbling on. Loved your description of the weird weird world you ended up in. Pretty hilarious, if not terribly fun to live through.

Sending you *hugs*

Ok, for the record, both of my boys have worn jon jons (up to age 3 and only to church or for pictures), my girls have some monogrammed smocked dressed that my mom made and I LURVE. I am only a double name caller when they are trouble though. You would probably think I would fall into the same category as those chicks, but really, I don’t. I’m just a penny pinching, sarcastic, fun loving momma. I get the same looks from “them” and simply don’t bother anymore. Most of my friends are scattered and I don’t have a “core group”. Some from the neighborhood, some from church, some from random outings at McDonald’s. It takes a while to find mommy friends that you click with. It’s just like when you are looking for couple friends and you love the wife, but hate the husband.

I do think it’s worse in your neck of the woods. I’m in the burbs of Atlanta, so there are LOTS of transplants here. Did you TELL them you are a yankee, cause that probably didn’t help? Only kidding.