Friend dating

Let's delve into the subject of living in a new town.  Here I am, feeling relatively settled in an unpacked-and-know-my-way-to-the-market kind of way, the kids seem fairly well integrated into their respective schools, we're even blending well at the UU church in town. (church will be a topic in and of itself, i assure you).

So, what of friends?  Making friends as an adult is no easy business.  It's awkward and uncomfortable, and involves a lot of work.  It feels like dating.  I guess it really IS dating... as friends.  I think I've already expressed that moving wasn't exactly my idea, and when we began to seriously plan the move, one of the things I felt sad about was leaving my friends behind.  It had taken me a long time to make those friends~  Now I would have to start from scratch!?

Here's what I've got so far...
1.  I am thankful for my children-- especially K and his 10 year old needs.  He is out there mingling and socializing, playing sports, joining clubs, needing entertainment.  I am, of course, his shuttle, his cheerleader, his facilitator, movie escort, sledding companion, etc... and more often than not, in keeping him busy, I am rubbing elbows with the parents of his friends (and some of them seem cool!).
2.  I am shy, kind of.  It's funny to be realizing this about myself, because it isn't the first word anyone who knows me would use to describe me.  A shy extrovert is a little bit of a contradiction in some ways, but it's true.  I don't jump at a lot of opportunities because of this shyness.  I wonder how it is interpreted, and I fear that it makes me seem aloof or disinterested, especially because I don't seem shy.  I have been trying to battle this shyness lately, and I think it has helped.
3.  I wish I had more money so I could plan some outings with a few potential friends I'm dating.  I am generally a cheap date, but in the 'getting to know you' stage, I feel like dinner at a restaurant is a little less pressure than dinner at my house-- the thrifty activities feel more personal to me, and it triggers that shy thing (see #2)... being broke and friend dating is an extra challenge!

 Over all, the search for new friends feels promising in this town.  I'm not sure if I'm getting better at it, or if this town is just a good match for me.  People seem open and warm, and I like the lifestyle that this place seems to embody... active, intelligent, liberal (or at least seemingly so... you can't tell sometimes!), one potential friend is even a Yankee fan~ aminor miracle in New England!  Still, I look forward to getting past this beginning stage of friendship-- Can't we just skip this silly stuff and be friends already!? Do I really need to vacuum before you come over?