two years ago i was talked into doing something so far out of my wheelhouse i am still stunned it happened. my second grader wanted to join the brownie troop at her school and it was full. the troop leaders said, “you can start another one… it’s just doing arts and crafts after school once a month for an hour or so.” i like arts and crafts and i generally like little girls and i like to be inside (which is where i assumed the arts and crafts would happen) and there was another mother who would be my co-leader. so i told my daughter i would do it. then the truth started coming out. turns out, the brownies are a part of the girl scouts. (i should know this, as i actually WAS a brownie when i was in second grade, but i had somehow buried this important information.) the girl scouts are all about nature and camping and outdoorsy stuff (unlike me… i am all about reading and sleeping in my bed and watching movies and indoor stuff) and selling cookies and do-gooding and it can go on for YEARS… not just second grade. also, i had to fill out tons of forms and register and attend a training session for several hours in a church basement.