free for all friday: crazy cat lady

As a married woman who doesn't have little ones I find that the opportunities for making new girlfriends are few and far between. I volunteer, I go to the gym, I shop...but i'm still too shy to just walk up to someone and say 'hey my name is Teresa want to be my friend?' erm well it's not just shyness , it's more like , -i don't want to come off stalkerish/weird-

So i thought it was funny that the other weekend when I was at the Outlet mall in-line at the Gap, the lady behind me starting talking to me. I had just gone into my purse to look for my 'you might win $5-$500' coupon and she started talking to me. "hey have you ever gotten more than $5 off of those?" , well no i haven't , but i was here last year and someone got $100'...etc.

We talked for about a minute and then I got a checker. She even stopped on her way past me when I had checked out and asked me how much i got.

So should I have tried to engage her in further conversation?
I could've pretended that I was walking in the same direction and tried to talk to her until ...what?
how do you exchange numbers with someone who you aren't trying to 'pick-up'?

Just out of curiosity I check the missed connections on craigslist. There is even a missed connection for the outlet mall on the day i was there...go figure!
http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/mis/1602363749.html
Ok it's not for me..but still funny. I wonder if anyone responds to those or if they are more like sending notes to postsecret.

or maybe I could watch some instructional videos


this guy creeps me out, guys don't hang out in colorful sofas with lit candles. maybe he could talk slower.
or come up with some more uncomfortable topics. 'how do you feel about you fiance dying from cancer?' GREAT conversation starter.


In any case, I hope not to become the crazy cat lady. But even if i did i'd have something to throw at those kids who won't GET OFF MY LAWN!!