Like A Good Neighbor...

Listen, I'm a terrible neighbor.  Horrific.  The only interaction I've had with any of my neighbors was to do a Walk of Shame after I backed the Jeep into their fence (which, thankfully, didn't leave a mark) at 6am.  (No, I wasn't rude...I fretted about whether or not to say anything all day at school and then almost puked and cried on their doorstep when I finally did.)  So my goal to get out of my "comfort zone" this week was to do something to reach out to my neighbors, which coincides with the theme of our small group at church--it's all about building a relationship with the people around you.  For the old peeps I made banana bread, because I know that's what my grandparents like to have with their coffee.  For the younger families I made confetti cookies and Rice Krispie Treats.  (By the way, if you don't know about confetti cookies, you can find the recipe here--you are so welcome!)  

It was fun to spend the day baking for other people.  When it came time to deliver the goods, though, it was funny how antsy in the pantsy I was about knocking on everyone's door.  But they were so welcoming!  Burl and Imogene (I explained to them how I, too, am a member of the Old Person's Name Club) were so grateful for their banana bread, and they immediately repaid me with a ton of grapefruit from their tree.  Honestly....like 20 grapefruits.  There's no way I can make it through them all, so please come grab one or ten.  Fence neighbors offered to do anything and everything I needed done since Travis is gone.  Across the street, Rhonda asked me to start joining her on evening walks.  I mean, what an awesome "neighbor" thing for us to do together.  And all of the kids on the street made me thank-you cards, too.  

                               

How funny.  All of that because of simple tasty treats.  I am so thankful that I sucked up my jitters and rang some doorbells.  Naturally, my mind is already wandering to the days when our street will host Family Fun Nights and I will babysit the crumb-snatchers across the street.  I'm already picking out our first play for Elizabeth Ann Court's Neighborhood Theatre Troupe.  Okay, maybe I'm getting a bit ahead of myself, but who's to say what kinds of relationships can be built if you simply build up the courage to reach out?  

And seriously, y'all....somebody come share these grapefruit with me.  

PS -- My half-marathon is a week from today (sqwee!) and I found these socks at Target.  Obviously, they were made just for me.  I'll be sporting the pink anchors, along with a tiara, during my race!  You jelly, bro?