I'm sort of a loner....guess being an only child sort of created a lack of need of having people around me or the need for friends. Growing up, I had a few friends that I enjoyed doing things with. As I got older, I had many different interests, so I was involved in different things. I had a couple of friends (more like good acquaintances) in each of the different areas that I was involved in. None of my friends from each place knew each other as they had nothing in common with each other.

I still find that's the way my life is. I have my trail riding & horse group of friends & I have my Bible study group of friends & I have my church group of friends & a small group of friends from several of the other activities I'm involved with. I have 2 closer friends that I have gotten to know very well but neither of them know each other.

With my groups, I find that I always offer my help with anything they need, I am able to go out of my way to do things that is needed....like helping to clean up a house one lady was moving into, pressure washing a deck, helping with the 4-H trail riding group & getting to know the parents. I don't do the smile thing right now as so many of my teeth have broken off & I don't have money to have them pulled & dentures, but I still have a closed mouth smile all the time.

For me, it's just a matter of being involved with people who have the same interests as I do & then with time we get to know each other & friendships form....it's a slow process, but that's better than getting involved with people who we really find out we don't want to have anything to do with & can't get rid of out of our life.

Take it slow....it's really better that way & get involved with things that interest you, then you can find the nice people who you feel comfortable to be around within the group & then friendships form.