March is already off to a barreling start. Been so wrapped up in life’s little insanities that I blinked and February was over. As a family we have been trying new things.

Whale watching,

ghost walks,

new tv series….As much of a blast as those high points have been, we’ve had our fair share of lows as well. The Mister is unhappy at work. We can’t really seem to break out of this funk. My days run together. I’ve finished Audie’s blanket, pieced together two more sweatshirt quilts for the cats, and will be working on backing/binding them (as well as my own) since the fabric just arrived.  I only have the yarn to tie the sweatshirt  corners left on my quilt–the new fabric is AMAZINGLY soft.  But apart from that, we’re just kind of stuck.  Neither one of us is doing very well “blooming where we are planted.”  It’s frustrating.

I’ve decided mine is stemming from not only the severe lack of a job, but also from the complete disconnect I feel from my friends back home. I have one friend who calls on a consistent basis, but no one else bothers. I realize a phone works two ways–such a magical little gadget! But with the time change and lacking any knowledge of anyone’s schedules, I feel like I’m just convenient if I’m in the area. I know it’s not really the case but being out here is very isolating. I’ve been here roughly 10 months and no connections have been made. The Mister is a homebody and is content with that, but I’m so not. I practically have to drag him out of the house so I don’t have to go alone. I’ve invited numerous people to come visit but money doesn’t grow on trees. Then again I’ve had others who swear they can’t afford to and then end up going to Mexico a few months later. I know my stay at home life is pretty boring, but come on! Just feeling a bit sorry for myself I suppose. It doesn’t make things any easier when the Mister is just as unhappy with our life here as I am. I can’t make it better and that just kills me. When he feels hopeless and I can’t help it, I start to feel useless. It’s bad enough that work isn’t coming my way, but not being able to help him see the silver lining of things takes the cake. We can’t catch a break either. It’s one thing after another. We start saving up so we have enough to make a deposit and the first month’s rent on a new place and suddenly our cat Hina needs a trip to the vet that drains us. We start feeling like we caught up and the car registration is due and $250 is just county/state taxes. Then there’s his health. Right before his last deployment, he started having breathing issues. Since then, he’s been relying on an inhaler, but the doctors can’t figure out what it is since it’s not asthma. I know it’s irritating for him as much as it is for me. But….still trying to chug along.

In better news, Audie has become insistent of his walks every night so we’re getting out for that. I want to start running with him, but he’s the worst dog to run with ever. He has the attention span of a goldfish. He’s forever stopping abruptly to sniff or jumping around like a hooligan at people going by. I’m trying to work with him, but he’s a fiery little pistol. So I think I’m going to have to just ease myself back into it slowly. I’m so out of shape it’s ridiculous. Broke down and bought new jeans so I’m determined to fit back into the old ones. Diet is actually way better than it was before, but it doesn’t seem to be helping. I can’t handle feeling crappy because I’m not out doing something. Time to get on it!

The sweatshirt quilts are practically done, so now the t shirts are glaring at me. I have way more than I’ll ever needs for quilts, but I’m going to have to start somewhere. I really want to start on the rug, so I HAVE to get those shirts cut. Can’t stall forever….

…though my wine bottle collection is getting rather impressive and I have heaps of neat ideas for those. I’ve taken to buying bottles based on shape than flavor (we’ve suffered through some really awful stuff because of it). Like I said, so many ideas. I really want to start painting again too. I miss it and don’t feel like forking over $35 every time I want to pick up a brush with the painting company that comes through. But those will have to wait because canvas is expensive and I really need to focus on paying off other bills before my hobbies take over.

I guess the creative spark is good. Feeds into that whole ‘progress’ idea. Haven’t updated my Flickr account yet with my recent activities, but I will get to it. I seriously need to start making a list for these things…

Bottom line: progress takes time and this is only a dry spell.

Here’s to hoping for rain.

Cheers.

–A. xoxo