Getting Settled.

Well, we finally made it. We are in Florida.

It's been a busy week. The movers came and packed us up and then we were on the road to our new home.

Mark did a great job finding a house for us to rent. The neighborhood is great and so far everyone we've met is very friendly!

We've been working on getting settled in and finding our way around. We've managed to get quite a bit of unpacking done but still have a garage full of boxes to sort and go through. I'm so glad I got rid of a lot of stuff before we moved! Since Mark is home from work this week and the kids are home form school, we also decided on enjoying some much needed family time. We spent an afternoon at the beach and another at the zoo.

Although our things are here and we are starting to settle in, it still doesn't feel "real" yet. I'm sure once the kids get back into school and Mark goes back to work, I'll find a routine. Then it will feel more like home. Even so, I'm enjoying being here and am glad we made the move.

Florida or Bust!

Well, the time has finally come! We sold the house in Ohio and the family is getting ready to move down to Florida! It's going to be a busy few weeks getting everything ready to go and then getting settled in a new home.

I am feeling so many emotions at the moment.

I am, of course, very happy to finally be moving. It's been a long few months with Mark living in Florida while the rest of us were still here in Ohio. It will be nice to be together again.

I am also a bit sad. My two oldest kids will be staying here in Ohio. They are both adults and I can't expect them to pack up their lives and follow me wherever I go! They have their lives here. I will miss them both and my grandson very much! I'm sure they'll come down to visit when possible but it will be hard only seeing them a couple times throughout the year.

I am also feeling a bit nervous and excited! Starting all over is never easy. I will need to become familiar with the area and try to make new friends. I've gotten comfortable here in Ohio but it's now time to move on and start something new. It's a bit scary and exciting all at once!

I worry a little about my three younger kids. Change isn't easy for anyone. I hope it isn't too difficult for them to start over in a new school and a new neighborhood. I hope they adjust quickly and make new friends. I will do what I can to make the transition for them as easy as possible. I hope they like Florida!

I'll need to remember to take one day at a time and just go with the flow.  I'm sure in the beginning it will be a little difficult but in no time, Florida will feel like home!

The Big 4 0

Yep! In just a few days I will be celebrating my 40th birthday. It's kind of hard to believe! I remember when my mom turned 40 and now I'm turning 40??!! When did I grow up?!

I'm not sure how I feel about this impending birthday. Is 40 considered old these days? I surely don't feel old...at least most of the time! Lots of people say 40 isn't old...but then, they're usually older than 40 so does it count that they think it's still young?

I feel like there is still so much that I haven't done in life. Stuff that I should have accomplished by now. There's been so many setbacks in the past but I suppose there is still plenty of time to get things done.

They tell me it gets better as you get older. I guess that means I still have something to look forward to! I hope they're right!  We'll see!

Comfort.

I remember lying in bed on warm summer nights when I was younger, the windows of my bedroom open, listening to the sounds of a train passing through in the distance. I would hear the sound of the wheels on the tracks and then the whistle blow as it sped on.

I remember feeling very connected to that sound. To me, it was a sad but also hopeful sound. It reminded me of how I felt. Lonely, traveling through life on my own, but with the hope of going somewhere. Somewhere far away from it all.

To this day, I still find the sound of a train passing through town very comforting.

Lazy Day.....

Today school was cancelled because of the bad weather! All 4 boys are home!

My original plan for the day, had they gone to school, was to get most of my housework done. But I've decided to make today a lazy day!

I'll let the kids stay in their pj's if they like. We'll read stories and watch movies! Maybe do a little baking! We'll put the music on and dance! I won't stress about the house and the dirty dishes in the sink!

                                                            

Good Friends.

Before moving to Ohio many years ago, I had a great group of friends. They were the type of friends that I could call on when I needed something, they were a shoulder to cry on, we use to get together and have a blast.

We would call each other on the phone and make plans to get together with the kids. While the kids played, we would drink our tea and talk. We would spend the whole day together, sometimes even running into dinnertime. So we'd throw something on the grill or order pizza and the play date continued! We would do this any day of the week, not just at scheduled play groups. It was so relaxed and fun.

On weekends, our families would get together and spend the day just hanging out. Sometimes at the beach or sometimes in a backyard with a campfire. And every once in awhile we would go out, just grown-ups! We weren't just friends because of the kids.

I miss those days. Since moving to Ohio, I have not found friends like that. I've met people here, good people, but I've not formed the type of friendships I had back home. Lots of moms here get together at scheduled play groups and activities with their kids, but that's not what I want. I want real friendships....not just the 10 am-noon play group type. That's not to say I haven't attended groups and activities. I have. It just never became anything more than that.

It's been tough not having any really close friends. As I said, I've met some great people here, but none that I feel really comfortable with calling and asking them to come over and keep me company because I'm lonely. It would be great to have someone just call and tell me they'll come take the kids for awhile so I can get a break! Thankfully, it won't be much longer and I'll be moving. It's a good thing...I don't know how much longer I could go without losing my sanity!!!!!

I hope once I get settled in my new home I'll be able to make some close friendships. It'll be a fresh start. I can't wait!!!

PMS

If I'm lucky, I get to PMS once a month.

I really need to find more time to PMS.

Maybe if I had more time to PMS I wouldn't feel so tired and cranky!!!!!

Of course, I need to find activities that would encourage me to PMS.

What about you???? What do you do for PMS?????

                      

                                          Preserve           My           Sanity