(Re)Location, (Re)Location, (Re)Location

Today we began in earnest. We made the decision about a week ago. But today was the day.

Yep, we want to be outta Dodge in about 6 months. I applied for three jobs Down South in the past week, and DH applied for one BIG job Down South today. I also got in contact with a real estate agent Down South today, too. DH plans on applying for more jobs, and I will be getting in touch with the Down South JobBank tomorrow via telephone to find out how we apply for jobs and work with them on relocating from afar.

This is the culmination of a dream that's about 15 years old. I'm not good with the sun, my skin's too sensitive for salt water and sand, but you know what? I don't give a damn. I NEED to be near the sea. DH really wants this, too, and we will be working diligently to make it happen.

For once, I want to do something on my own that I want to do - I don't want to make the move at someone else's urging (like we did when we moved to North Carolina 10 years ago) - that only ended up with us coming back home 2 years later. It wasn't the right time, and we were never truly "at home" when we were down there. Now, with this move Down South, it's all us - WE have decided that this is what is right, WE have decided it's time, and actually, it's at the behest of everyone else that has any influence on our lives. Our friends will be sad to see us go - one has already told me as much - but at least she agrees that the time is right, and that this is the right thing to do. Heck, my BFF, when I told her I was going, said, "Hey, I might go with ya!"

If that's not a vote of confidence, I don't know what is.

So....therefore, wish us luck. We'd like to get everything done and get moved within 3 - 6 or 8 months. That includes new jobs, a new home, Conman enrolled in a new school, daycare secured, all the stuff that goes around with just daily life. It's a big proposition, especially with a young child, but I'm more ready for this than for anything I've ever been in my life.

Just Play

It's been 16 days now, and I just finished watching the Olympic Closing Ceremonies. There's a reason why I waited until after it was all over to post on the topic of the Olympics. But we'll get to that in just a minute.

First, I need to explain a little bit. One of the reasons I started this blog is because DH always says, "You look at the world a little bit different from the rest of people. There's a perspective you have that I don't think the majority of the world shares". Now, I told you that for a reason, too; it does relate to the Olympics. I was thinking while I was watching the Ceremony, and some of the clips they were showing as the program ended.

When it comes down to it, the old cliche of "Just do it" kinda applies. These men and women (and sometimes boys and girls) practice their entire lives. They work, they train, they get their routines and times and positions and bodies into as perfect shape as they can. When it comes down to it, though, and that starting pistol fires, all that doesn't really matter. They just swim. Or just run. Or just jump. Or just do about a hundred other activities that can either bring complete joy or utter disappointment. All that training, all that practice, it all comes down to just a few moments of competition and performance that will last a lifetime.

Just think - fifty years from now, Michael Phelps may have a grandchild sitting on his knee with one of his gold medals in his hands, paying rapt attention to his grandad as he explains the exhilaration of touching the wall and winning his 8th gold medal for the 2008 Olympics. The rest of the world may have moved on, may have forgotten about his achievements, but they'll live on in Phelp's heart and through his family.

I think the stories of strength - the stories of those that didn't win, maybe didn't even place, but competed anyway and didn't give up - are the stories that I will hold in my heart. The South African woman who lost her leg in a car accident but still competed in the open-water swimming competition. The Russian mother who won the marathon. The unbelievable Chinese athletes who did their country proud in the competitions, and the army of Chinese volunteers who made Beijing a welcoming, comfortable place for the world to call "home" for 16 days.

Thanks, Olympics. You show us that everyone has a chance for glory, and that the world can come together in peace. The world could learn a lot from the sportsmanship and good will displayed by its athletes.

Stuff

So, we bought a car today. $1500 and a 2000 Kia Sephia is ours. The car runs good, is legal (of utmost importance - that much sought-after sticker) and will serve it's purpose well, acting as DH's work car. It's been well-taken-care-of, too, so it ought to last a good long time. I'm glad that the pressure to get the Honda fixed and actually road-worthy is off, and with a relatively low loan amount (loaned from my dad) we ought to be able to pay it off relatively quickly and not have to worry about it. Yeah, it needs a little work - there's some rust on the rocker panels, the rear-view mirror is gone, and the horn doesn't work - but still, we're not trying to win a car show or anything. DH just needs reliable transportation to get back and forth to work.

We have become totally obsessed with the Olympics. We've watched swimming every night this week with smatterings of fencing, gymnastics and other sundry sports. It's been exciting, and we've even managed to get Conman interested in some of what's going on. So far he likes the swimming and fencing. I think he'd like the diving, too, if they'd ever freakin' show any of it. Maybe we're just missing it...maybe it hasn't happened yet...I dunno.

Lastly, this blog is my place where I'm free to speak my thoughts. I thoroughly expect no repercussions from anything I say here, and I would not dose out any for something said on anyone else's. I speak my mind, as this is my space. If you don't like what I have to say, don't read it. That's all I'm going to say. If you do have questions, I'm open to answering them, otherwise, that's all I have to say about that.

DH shaved his head - we're talking Bic razor blades and shaving cream here - last night. Surprisingly, I like it...a lot. It suits him. I didn't think it would, but it does. He kept the beard and moustache, but the hair is gone. *grin* So, imagine if you can, a mixture of Capt. Jack Sparrow and Mr. Clean, and you've pretty much got my DH pegged (minus the great big hoop earring, of course).

That's about it for today. Work tomorrow and Saturday, football on Sunday, and running around to register the new car on Monday, then work on Tuesday. Don't expect word from me again until Wednesday-next week. Until then, stay safe!

Decisions

Well, I don't really have a decision to make - I've already made it - I just have to figure out how to state it to everyone else. Why is that such a problem? Well, it's complicated.

There's one big, huge reason, and that's the obvious one to everyone, and I don't want it to seem like the reason I made my decision was purely reactionary to that particular event - it's not. I have several other reasons why, and I can't openly nor honestly talk about them. So the question then becomes, how do you cover up the truth and make it seem like the obvious isn't the reasons behind your decision? That's what's so hard for me.

The next thing is dealing with the end of a friendship. It's not so bad when someone you know, someone you casually interact with, sort of drifts away. When it's bad is when you loose someone you consider your best friend. No, they didn't die or anything like that. We have drifted apart and my previous best friend is doing things that I don't approve of, and quite honestly, that's the end of it. We've tried to talk about it, but neither of us feels like we're getting through to the other. I can't continue to be hurt by it anymore, so I have decided to end the relationship.

So, my decisions have been made, I just have to figure out how to convey them. Hope your day is better than mine.

Wow...Just...Wow.

Man, what a hectic two weeks.

Wait - let me start out a little differently. Let me start like this:

The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.

Yes, I still live. A bit more tired than usual, a bit busier than usual, but still breathing in and out, heart still circulating blood (I think - lemme check - yep, everything seems to still be working).

Last week the finance manager where I work was on vacation, so I had to work every day. To those of you who work full-time jobs, keep yer yaps shut. I know you do that every day of your lives, and yes, I can appreciate it, but I don't. I'm a part-time finance assistant and a full-time mommy. This week of full-time mommy and substitute-full-time-finance-manager has just killed me. I didn't have time to write much less have time to think about what to say.

Conman's feet are much better. He's finished with PT and progressing nicely in football (I've typed that in so many emails, so many posts, that I feel like a broken record). His first game was on Sunday, 08/10, and he got to go in and play two or three times. While he was in there he looked good, like he kinda-sorta knew what he was doing (it was the first game...none of 'em knew what they were doing, really) and did what the coaches told him to do. He's been having trouble "hitting" - he doesn't want to tackle - but I think now that he understands that it's all part of the game he's warming to it.

I got word from the Board of Education that Conman's transfer for his first-grade year came through fine, and he'll be attending the same school this year as he did last year. Thank goodness. I didn't want to have to take him a half-an-hour to school every morning.

I went to the doctor myself today. Finally, someone who will work with me. In the past, doctors have not wanted to put me on any sort of birth control because I had my tubes tied about five years ago. "There's no need for it, you don't need pregnancy prevention, and menstrual regulation isn't reason enough to put you on them." Not this nurse practitioner. She said, "Does being irregular bother you? Yes? Okay. We'll start you on something immediately." Not only that, but after nearly 15 years of trying to get ANY doctor to listen to me about the cystic acne on my body, I finally have someone not only willing to listen, but willing to do something about it. She's starting me on a course of treatment that will ultimately clear it up, which is something that I've wanted for years. It's painful, unsightly, and makes me look "unclean" even though I AM clean. Oh, and the best news? She plans on starting me on something to regulate my moods. She doesn't want to start me on anti-depressants at the same time as birth control, so the next time I go in to see her, if all is well, she will start me on something to regulate my moods. Do I need it? Hell yes. DH could tell you that probably better than I could.

We're going to be selling our house. Probably in the coming year sometime. My dad wants to get rid of this house and property, and his as well. He's too old to take care of so much yard, and DH is just plain old too busy to take care of ours. Plus, we need to live somewhere that's actually within my preferred school district - this yearly transfer crap is just too much to deal with. If things don't change, though, we'll be going further than just "down the road" somewhere - we're looking at going out of state if DH's job doesn't get any more...lucrative.

Well, that's where it's at right now. Off to bed tonight, work in the morning, and directly to football practice tomorrow evening. Good health to you all!

Addendum to the "I Believe" Post

I believe that a private conversation between two people ought to remain that way, no matter what, unless both parties give permission for it to be shared.

I believe that you should always do your level best to uphold your obligations to others.

I believe that anyone that you call a friend ought to be understanding and caring enough to realize that your words and actions are not to hurt them, but in an effort to make things better for everyone.

I believe that friendship does not have a time limit; people come to you for a reason, and it's up to both of you to maintain the friendship.

I believe that if you're wrong, you ought to admit it, for better or for worse.

I believe that people ought to hold their family first above all others with the exception of God.

Yeah, I'm a Thiever.

A friend of mine had this posted on her MySpace blog, and I thought it was fantastic, so I lifted it and posted it here. Thank you, S!

Birth Certificate shows that we were born,

A Death Certificate shows that we died,

Pictures show that we lived!

Have a seat . . . Relax . . . And read this slowly.

I Believe...

That just because two people argue,

it doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue,
it doesn't mean they do love each other.

I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends

if we understand that friends change.

I Believe...
That no matter how good a friend is,

they're going to hurt you every once in a while

and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe...
That true friendship continues to grow,

even over the longest distance.

Same goes for true love.

I Believe...
That you can do something in an instant

that will give you heartache for life.

I Believe...
That it's taking me a long time

to become the person I want to be.

I Believe...
That you should always leave loved ones

with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe...
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I Believe...
That we are responsible for what we do,

no matter how we feel.

I Believe...
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe...
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done
when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe...
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe...
That my best friend and I,

can do anything,

or nothing and have the best time.

I Believe...
That sometimes the people you expect

to kick you when you're down,

will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe...
That sometimes when I'm angry

I have the right to be angry,

but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe...
That maturity has more to do

with what types of experiences you've had

and what you've learned from them

and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe...
That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others.

sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe...
That no matter how bad your heart is broken

the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe...
That our background and circumstances

may have influenced who we are,

but, we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe...
That you shouldn't be so eager

to find out a secret.

It could change your life Forever.

I Believe...
Two people can look at

the exact same thing

and see something totally different.

I Believe...
That your life can be changed

in a matter of hours

by people who don't even know you.

I Believe...
That even when you think

you have no more to give,

when a friend cries out to you -

you will find the strength to help.

I Believe...
That credentials on the wall

do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe...
That the people you care about most

in life are taken from you too soon.

I Believe...

The happiest of people

don't necessarily have the best of everything;

they just make the most of everything.