I seem to be going through an awkward phase...

Lately it seems that I have been confronted with more than my share of awkward situations.

Last week, someone made a comment about my red hair ( I had just had the color refreshed.)
The person said they had always liked red heads. I felt a bit squirmy. I've never been very good at judging what is an innocent comment and what is a more flirtatious one. I mumbled something about retrieving papers off the copier.

This past weekend was my daughter's Confirmation. My husband and I headed back to our former workplace, and ran into more than a few people who thought he still worked for the church, or had no idea we are married.

To add a cherry to the top of the awkward sundae, my ex and his new wife were in attendance. It was most unpleasant.  It was the first time we have all been in the same venue since his remarriage.

I am never as cool and collected as I want to be in these situations. I become tongue-tied and my body kicks up its fight or flight mechanism. I usually flee.

Today, my new boss told me she had received an email from another school district requesting a reference. I had recently updated my application in order to keep it current, and I had no idea it would update all my references as well.  I stumbled through my explanation of why I updated my application.

I wish I had more poise in potentially sticky situations. Maybe it's my "good girl" training. I hate to disappoint others. There is no reason that I cannot look to better my job prospects. I certainly should not feel compelled to share intimate details with prying strangers, and  I don't owe my ex more than a brief, civil exchange.

 I'll keep this in mind when I board the plane this weekend with my husband, parents, children, and my ex and his wife. Yep, we are all on the same flight. Can you say awkward?