It’s been a while since we posted a “real” post…since October pretty much. The move really took a lot out of us, although we are firmly on the other side of it now. We’ve been through a lot of changes but there are still more coming. I’ll take the bullet approach to this update:
- After our closing date on the house got pushed a full two weeks, we finally signed the paperwork and moved in. We’ve had a few expensive things to take care of, but at this point all the imperative work has been done and we’ve slowed down our seemingly constant list of stuff to do. We’re at the point of needing to just paint and decorate, which is nice. And it’s really feeling like home now.
- I started work almost immediately after the move and….hated the job. It was a pretty toxic environment and made me miserable. After the first month, I applied and interviewed non-stop and recently landed a new job that I start on Dec 2 (provided the background check goes through in time). It’s a little bit of a career change, but I’m excited and hopeful. I only gave 3 days’ notice at my last job for my mental sanity and have been enjoying my break between jobs. It’s given Nutella and I lots of time to explore our surroundings and have fun adventures together.
- Nutella has unfortunately not been able to find part-time work yet. We’ve had Curly in pre-school with after hours care up until now, but that will stop in December. I had to take a bit of a pay cut for the new job, and since Nutella isn’t working, there’s no need to pay for care after pre-school, which is free. So that’ll save us a good chunk of money. And Nutella is now planning both fun and “learning” activities for Curly in the afternoons.
- Making friends has been hard. We’ve met a handful of people and hung out with another couple and their two daughters a couple times, but we haven’t truly “clicked” with anyone yet. We’re trying though, and realize it’ll take time. We haven’t been here that long. That’s probably been the hardest part though.
- On the plus side, my family is coming over for Thanksgiving, which we’re hosting for the first time ever. Then Nutella’s parents will be visiting us over two consecutive weekends (they’re spending two weeks in the area and visiting other relatives as well). We’ve had other out-of-town friends stay over a couple nights, and others planning on visiting soon as well. So that helps with the loneliness.
- Also nice is the weather. It was in the 30’s-40’s where we used to live, and today we were watching the sunset on the beach in t-shirts and shorts 🙂
- This is a parenting blog, but I’m starting to feel like it’s a relocation blog. It’s hard to focus solely on Curly when so much is going on and when parenting is just one (albeit a very large one) of those things. As others have brought up on their blogs before, I’m not sure where this will go in the future, especially as Curly is getting older and as everyone knows by now, we’ll never be in the TTC/baby trenches again. That said, Curly is 4 1/2 and as big a handful as ever, although at least at this age, he can keep himself occupied for good periods of time. But it’s still all questions all the time, a crazy imagination, an irritating lack of logic, a sweet deluge of hugs and kisses, a total drama queen cry fest, and all the other hopes, fears, anxieties, joys and frustrations that come along with parenting a young child. Sometimes just the thought of trying to blog about it is overwhelming.
- That said, we wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving (and Thanksgivukkah to our fellow Jews) and we’ve missed you.
1 In Vermillion 
I feel like it takes 3 years to really build up a social network – maybe slightly less with a school-aged kid, but give yourselves time, its hard to rush. BUT the beach sounds lovely. Yesterday it was 19 here, 19!
Sounds like a really crazy time for you guys but glad it’s mostly going well. I’m sure you’ll find some amazing friends soon. And keep blogging about whatever! Curly, moving, day-to-day life. It’ll be wonderful for Curly to read when he’s older even if it’s not all about him. Plus I want to keep reading what you have to say. 🙂
If you ever want to come down to the West Palm area on the east coast you’re more than welcome to come stay with us! 🙂 My sons are 7 and 2 and I’m sure they would LOVE Curly
The night you posted this I dreamed about coming to visit you guys. Funny.
Making friends in a new place is so hard. When S. and I relocated (both times, even though the second move was in state) we had the advantage of our work communities welcoming us. So we had built-in networks right away, even if it took much longer for some people in those networks to turn into true and proper friends. I agree with the first comment, I was told (and have found to be true) that it takes about 3 years for a new place to feel like home. In the meantime, keep enjoying that sunshine!
Welcome back! I had been thinking about you all and wondering how you were. Sounds like overall things are good. 🙂 It’s completely OK for you to morph into a family/life blog! Goodness knows plenty of other people have them! SO jealous of your temps and weather. It’s currently +10 F here (“warm” for us) and our city scored 2 our of 100 on a friendliness to gay people assessment done by the Advocate. All this to say that Florida sounds pretty darn awesome. (Though your laws are pretty lame there as well.)
So glad to see an update! Ive missed reading you guys and have wondered how you were doing. Sounds like some things are really good for you, and I’m sure the friends will start rolling in soon. Wishing you both luck!
Glad to hear you all are doing well. If you ever make it over to Orlando let us know. We have a 2 year old and we’re also members of a gay parent group here that does lots of fun events. We’ll be going to Ice at the Gaylord Palms on dec 15. You can join us on fb, it’s the Orlando Gay Parents.
Good to get the update! We made a big interstate move when J. was just four months old, just about exactly three years ago, and I know exactly what you mean about the difficulties. You know you wanted to do it, that it was the right thing for your family, but is hard to leave community and build a new one. You have that lovely beach, though – what a plus! We’ve built friendships over time. You’ll find your people. 🙂 Funny how it can be like dating, esp. with other parents/families, trying to find the ones you “click” with.