!!
So I want to start hosting a monthly get-together for locals - everyone brings something to eat, we get together, we talk, we meet new people, we blogger speed-date (MAYBE.) (MAYBE THE SPEED DATING IS TOO NERDY, I HAVE NOT DECIDED), we get our friendship thing on. We bring the kids if necessary.
(And also we do a service project.)
(See how I'm sneaking in the service part? SNEAKY)
It's true though. I'm forming a BRAND NEW blogger clique. The Utah Bloggers Who Like To Eat and Do Painless Service clique. (We're better than most of the other blogger cliques because we also get to feel legitimately self righteous. WOOT!)
I want my friends and family who don't blog to feel welcome though, so I will probably call it the Not Necessarily Just Utah Bloggers But Also Real Life Friends Who Are Not Bloggers Plus Random Facebook Friends and Relatives Who Like to Eat and Do Painless Service clique. (CATCHY!)
It will be TOTALLY painless service, I promise. You will barely even know you are doing it. In fact, you will probably drive home thinking, "Wow, what a fun get-together, I just met the most awesome, friendly, hilarious women who will probably be my FRIENDS FOR LIFE, to the extent that I will NEVER BE LONELY AGAIN, and I will ALWAYS HAVE COMMENTS ON MY BLOG, and then - then - I think there was something else we did, but I can't even remember what it was because of all the FUN FUN FUN we were having."
Like that.
Seriously, did you know that serving with other women is an amazing way to make friends? IT IS! Especially with ME. Not only because I will love you instantly for coming, but also because I have VERY LOW FRIENDSHIP STANDARDS.
(I realize this may not actually be a draw. I'm just saying. You'll have at least ONE friend there, right? And if you come and you are feeling initially uncomfortable, just come hang out with me, I'm the acknowledged leader of the socially awkward.)
The first get-together (and I realize saying "get-together" repeatedly sounds extraordinarily dorky, but "meeting" sounds too clinical and "event" sounds too ridiculous and unfortunately my brain is currently suffering from total-synonym-fail) is going to be in February, time/date/location to be announced once I get a feel for whether or not there will be one hundred of us or three.
If you think you'd be interested in coming, (AND YOU SHOULD BE INTERESTED IN COMING) (ALONG WITH YOUR FRIENDS) (AND RELATIVES) please let me know in the comments or via email (or Facebook or Twitter or carrier pigeon or doorbell ditching, etc., etc.) so I can start to figure out how many people we're talking about.
In the meantime, my friend Kalli dreamed up a wonderful way for us all to help with Haiti. She's hosting a quilting bee THIS MONDAY in American Fork. I'll just quote from the post on her blog:
"Did you know that within 48 hours of the quake, LDS Humanitarian Services and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints had commissioned two planes loaded with 160,000 lbs of relief supplies with additional supplies to be delivered via truck through the Dominican Republic?You should come! We'll meet. We'll be friends. We'll pretend that we know how to tie quilts and do things with batting. And you'll meet Kalli, who is hilarious and wonderful and one of the very few bloggers I know who looks just like her picture. (And I am including myself in that statement.)
My friend Melanie and I got in touch with LDS Humanitarian Services to ask how we could help, turns out their greatest need at this time is full size quilts.
This is where you come in. We need your help. Let's help an organization so busy actually helping those we only wish we could.
On Monday, January 25th we will be hosting a quilting bee at a church in American Fork.
The details are:
Where: American Fork LDS Stake Center at 240 S. Center St.
Time: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Bring: A surger if you have one!
**Supplies will be provided BUT batting donations are ALWAYS appreciated (hint hint)!
Email ME (if you're planning on it): kallikverb@gmail.com
Doesn't matter if you can't sew, your help can be used cutting, ironing, tying or somewhere else. I know this is a somewhat inconvenient time, but I am begging you to do what you can to make it work. Even if you can only stay an hour, or a half hour, come on your lunch break, we need you!
Bring your kids, mine will be there going batty because that's smack in the middle of his nap time. Sweet!
We are doing this! Come and do it with us. Here's how you can help."
See you there?
PS: I'm speaking at CBC. (I know. TRAIN WRECK ALERT.) (Actually, I used to be a corporate trainer, so it will probably be mildly entertaining. Let us pray.)
I am so tempted to renounce my citizenship and just move to Utah already, that's how much fun, fun, fun it sounds like. I wish you much success - and FUN!
ReplyDeletei so wish i could be at your 'get-together' in utah. if and when i move back, and you're still having them, i will be there in a heart beat!! have fun!
ReplyDeleteI live way across the country from you but that's probably a good thing because otherwise, we'd have to arm wrestle for the crown of "Socially Awkward Leader." (Because, dude... words fail me at even describing my sucktastic self on the social front. Sigh.) I wish I could come hang out with you, though. I'd do a service project! I really would. Heck, I LIVE TO SERVE (according to my children.)
ReplyDeleteAnd seriously, Sue? How fabulous are you to use your power for assembling smart funny women for good and not evil? We are all grateful because if you ever went to the dark side, we'd follow you right over.
I don't speak spam, but I think that last comment said they were in! Do you discriminate against spammers in your clique?
ReplyDeleteOkay I live southern Utah, but I'm in! I have easy fast access up North, so as long as I know in plenty of time, I can go!!! And I will come!
Okay, now time to twitter you... Do I get to bring 5 extra friends if I twitter and facebook this!?
Hahahaha... I'm so funny! :)
I've avoided the consequences once again...yes!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes the "get togethers" sound like they would be awesome. Count me in.
I'm thinking I'll probably be there on Monday in A.F. as well.
If I actually lived in/near Utah, I would be honored to doorbell ditch you.
ReplyDeleteWhy do I live in Maine instead of Utah? We never have that much FUN! FUN! FUN! around here.
ReplyDeleteOff to pack.
Expect me there.
:D
Me! I'd love to come and be awkward. And also serve.
ReplyDeleteBecause food and bloggers, what's not to love?
I would love to come if I could. I feel like I already know you since I've been blog-stalking you for so long. Sadly enough I must work.
ReplyDeleteI'm in. At least for February, because I plan to pop a baby out by March. So maybe I'll be back in April.....or May....
ReplyDeleteHonestly a great idea, Sue. When you started talking about a monthly get-together, I wondered if you were gonna do anything with service since that's apparently what you like to do.
I would be there Monday, but I'll be out of state. I'll donate batting, though. Can I come in February and defend myself? I could bring a huge vat of chocolate treat.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, just one more thing to make me wish I lived in Utah!
ReplyDeleteWish I lived in Utah;)
ReplyDeleteOh, I want to come because I'm just crazy enough to enjoy doing service projects, but lack the ability to plan them. I'm just not sure you can take on my Social Awkwardness. I'm pretty hard core. ;o)
ReplyDeleteWow, you weren't kidding you were being all servicey! If it's a Saturday, or a day I want to say I'm sick of helping save children's lives, and I need a day off, I will be there.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you call it a ball? The first annual Blogger Benefaction Ball! Casual dress, of course.
ReplyDeleteNow, I'm going to go weep into my lonely Northern Californian pillow.
Hey one person who said they were coming on Monday and remembered about the last half of the post. you're rad.
ReplyDeleteEverybody else, if you're planning on coming to Sue's monthly shin-digs than you better be there on Monday too.
I'm just saying, double wrath if you bag.
Wheeeee!!!!!
I will be there at both things. Seriously. I'll be the big one in the corner freaking out that you usurped my title as queen of the socially awkward. Pfft.
ReplyDeleteI'm fresh out of carrier pigeons, but I'll totally come to your get-together.
ReplyDeleteI might be in for the Feb thing. I might even beg someone to pretend to be my friend and come along.
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to come!! My hubby works most evenings though...but if it's a Tuesday or Wednesday evening or a Saturday morning, I'm there! Seriously:-)
ReplyDeleteI wish I were in Utah (I know, common theme for these comments), but I'm in Ohio. BUT, I grew up in Utah, and someday want to move back, so if you're still holding events years from now, then I'll come (if some new snazzy technology doesn't come and swallow up blogging, and personal interactions, or something). I'd also love to come to the quilting, and feel like I'm actually helping the people in Haiti, instead of just reading about all of the problems.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, living in Tejas has become a thorn in my side. I would be at Kalli's and at yours in a heartbeat. And I would LOVE it.
ReplyDeleteI will likely come. Apparently I need more friends or something to do- or something...
ReplyDeleteI will likely come. Apparently I need more friends or something to do- or something...
ReplyDeletehmm... so does this mean i'm not the only one who has noticed the overwhelming presence of blogger cliques in the past 2 days? i think this is a fabulous idea. i think you're fabulous.
ReplyDeleteI'll come! To Kalli's, too.
ReplyDeleteUnless of course the February thing is the same weekend as Pioneer Woman's lodge retreat, which I'm going to win.
I'm so excited to see that some of you are planning to come already :) I was having social anxiety nightmares - me and a large empty room, with only the soundtrack of my weeping for company. But it really will be lots of fun. Bring friends! Bring neighbors! Bring your mailman!
ReplyDeleteWe'll probably hold it on a Saturday so that more folks can make it.
Best of all, for the marrieds, you can tell your husband you're going to a SERVICE PROJECT, instead of telling him you're going to a blogger thing. How can possibly grumble over that?
Mom - chocolate treat would be AMAZING. Bring a VAT - we will swim around in it.
AS FOR THE REST OF YOU!!! ALL OF THESE EXCUSES, LIKE - Sue, I don't LIVE there, and Sue, I have a JOB, and Sue, I have to attend my mother's funeral.
PISH POSH, I say. PISH. POSH.
Do you count as a blogger if you're A) only an x-mommy (all grown up), B) write to an audience of tens C) don't have a brilliant talent you generously share with your readers and D) out age just about every flipping picture on your comments page?
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like fun, Sue. And I'm very tempted. I immediately wanted to show up with my buddy Rachel, but (http://rubowhappenings.blogspot.com/) I don't think she's going to be going anywhere soon, so that would leave me in the corner with all the other corner huggers. Just how many corners do you have out there anyway?
Do you have to shower and get dressed before you come? And can I bring the puppies?
K - NO SHOWERING. And I will make you my assistant director of corner hugging, so no worries. If someone is in your corner you can KILL THEM.
ReplyDeleteAnd not only are you a blogger, you're an AMAZING blogger. So there.
What is it with me and capital letters today? I seem to be feeling very emphatic.
ReplyDelete@@1!
ReplyDelete221
ReplyDelete33
!
I think my husband would totally see through my plane ticket request "for charity" as a pathetic plea for friendship and acceptance. Boo.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, I'd love to come.
Wish I could come. Love service. Love bloggers. The end.
ReplyDeleteSue! I'd love to come! And I think I'll go to the quilting bee, too! Less awkwardness that way. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure I'd love to come. to both events. Also, do you need an extra sewing machine at this quilting bee? Because I have one, and can bring it.
ReplyDeleteJamboree? Powwow? Coffee Klatsch (sp?)? Bloggers Day Out?
ReplyDeleteSynonyms R Us
I wish I lived in Utah.
wish i were local so i could join the club! what a great idea.
ReplyDeleteand yea for Kalli and the quilting bee. i was just sitting here wishing i could do more to help in Haiti. Just thinking about the children there makes me cry.
hoorah for being proactive. i hope there's a huge turnout.
But will there be food?
ReplyDeleteI want to come. But, these kind of events make me break out in rashes. You should see the hideous one I'm touting around right now. HIDEOUS.
ReplyDeleteYou'll be brilliant at the conference. And hilarious.
Is the invitation open to lurkers too? Cause I think it sounds like fun.
ReplyDeleteAlso I read about Kalli's Quilting Bee and although I'm a little bit north of there, I'm going to see if I can swing that one too.
I wanna crash your party!! and I'm in Utahr!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to be interested in coming. Only, you're basically in Northern Utah and I'm... not.
ReplyDeleteThat'd be fun - I'd love to come.
ReplyDeleteFOR THE RECORD, THERE WILL BE FOOD. A drinking fountain counts, right?
ReplyDeleteNo but really, my friend Melanie is bringing some of her wicked awesome cupcakes. Then who ever wants can go to in n out with me after. Because food and I are bff.
If I only lived in Utah. And was LDS. And knew how to quilt. Or even how to tie a proper knot. But I do have some batting. In the bottom of a drawer...somewhere.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the laughs!!
I will join because I love clubs. Sandwiches... the kind you beat your kids with... jelly of the month... You name it... I HEART it.
ReplyDeleteI would SO love to be counted in, especially because I can't make it to the casual blogger thing, and missed the last get-together.
ReplyDeleteI *might* be able to make it to part of the Monday quilting thing (and I do own a serger) depending on where my kids' sniffly-nose-and-cough levels are at that point. For the February thing, any time before about 3 PM is hard for me to make it to (I have one in morning kindergarten, and preschoolers who take afternoon naps) and evening is best for me to get away from the sniffly kids. Actually I guess it can only be Wednesday, Thursday, or Saturday evening, providing I don't have a conflicting Relief Society meeting to attend. Gee, I'm not picky, am I? Who knew having 5 kids could triangulate a person's schedule so much? (And I hear the scheduling gets worse when you have teenagers, heaven help me.)
P.S. I'm not afraid of your DIRE, DIRE consequences. I read it all because I WANTED to. So there, phbtbtbt.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for a chance to meet new people! Count me in!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm going to come to the quilting thing on Monday although I did have to google "batting" to find out what it is so I'm not sure I'm the girl you want there!
Holy cow! Okay, so I've just started reading your blog and love it. I said to my husband, "so, it would be weird if I just got together with a bunch of other bloggers, wouldn't it?" He must really want something from me because he told me it wouldn't be weird. Then when I said there's a quilting thing at the church and Haiti needs blankets, blah blah blah. He said it sounds great! He really is a great guy isn't he?
ReplyDeleteSo, I am in for the Feb thing and I will probably make it on Monday, although I will have to leave early to get my kiddo out of school. It's early day on Mondays...1:15...what's the point?
I'm so glad you're all planning to come. It's going to be tremendous.
ReplyDeleteHey Codi, I thought you were my sister for a minute bc that's her name and spelled just that way.
ReplyDeleteBut guess what, you aren't.
See you Monday!
I really want to do this, so I hope that it doesn't conflict with any of my VERY IMPORTANT SERVICE TO GOD AND/OR COUNTRY obligations. If not, I'll come with K, if she'll have me. And if I actually made a couple of new reader friends, I could double my readership. But that would just be icing on the cake next to socializing and doing service.
ReplyDeleteAnd maybe I will come Monday -- I was going to go skiing --- but --- hmmm --- maybe. I'm always happy for an opportunity to just show up and serve - no organizational skills needed.
I hate you. I've been obsessed with you for years (in a totally creepy way) and three months after I move from AMERICAN FORK UTAH, you start doing get togethers!?!? GAH, that sucks so bad! I would've totally been there! (Although now, I'm sure you're VERY HAPPY the creepy stalker chick won't be coming.)
ReplyDeleteIf you don't hate me, and my cupcakes, after the quilting bee, I would totally be up for a new "service organization" to join.
ReplyDeleteWow, Kalli, that is really cool that your sister and I have the same name.
ReplyDeleteI'm coming tomorrow, but trying to find somebody to come with, I'm scared to be by myself! :)
I love the idea of the clique and what Kalli is doing with the quilting bee! I just wish I could go! Eat some cupcakes for me! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I got to meet you today! Although I have to say it's a bit disconcerting to read you now that I have your actual face in my head instead of your fictional face that I invented after seeing a few older pictures of you combined with what I thought someone so funny should look like. The good news? Turns out you're even more adorable in real life. But not as tall. In my mind you were 5'10. I guess funny is tall to me.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, count me in for more service-meets-endless-gabbing get-togeters! -Arianne
I'm disappointed that I had to miss today, but please don't forget me when you plan the "Not Necessarily Just Utah Bloggers But Also Real Life Friends Who Are Not Bloggers Plus Random Facebook Friends and Relatives Who Like to Eat and Do Painless Service" service project in February. I'll be there!
ReplyDeleteNot gonna make it to the quilting bee but I'd love to meet more bloggers and not feel like such a stalker all the time. :)
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog via Kalli's link on her follow-up post to today's quilting bee. How did I not know about it before? Your post had me literally laughing out loud! Count me in--I'm always up for some friendship and food though I may have to leave before the service part. Don't want to break a nail or anything. (Kalli will tell you I'm totally kidding--it's all or nothing, baby!)
ReplyDeleteWow, how lucky am I that I finally live up here at such a MONUMENTAL time! I will get to be a part of the...well....I guess I'm not sure what we're calling it yet.
ReplyDeleteLike how I said we?
Yeah, I had fun today, even though nobody knew me and I was tailing behind my friend Shannon like a lost puppy.
I'll find my groove.
Glad I met ya. And please let me come to your......
um....
well, whatever. I'll be there.
YES, that sounds so fun. Too bad I live in CA and find that it's highly uneconomical to fly to UT for one day to do a service project. Bummer. For real.
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that you are promoting service. Maybe I should do that on my blog....
So iiiiiin! I'll be door bell ditching tonight.
ReplyDelete