Relationship Minefields

We are onto part two of my online dating experience. Part one you can find at "Dear Jane".

Does any part of life actually progress as you thought it might? In my world it's very rare, if this has ever happened! So, the "normal" dating experience was elusive. All in all, a grand adventure! To read more and learn of the ups and downs please see "Catch of the Day" on Laura's Confessions.

Emerging...On the Other Side

The other side of the country that is! Well, it's been a month! When last I wrote, it's true - I was stressed out and in the midst of packing up all our household goods. My stressed out phase didn't last too long actually, but times were busy. Then, we were homeless and on the road.

After we left the keys locked in the house for the new owners to retrieve, we set off on our 11 day trek across the country. We stayed with family and friends part of the time but once we hit Texas it was hotels from then on. Along the way we encountered temperatures up to 113 degrees F, red dust storms that as we approached just looked like an imposing wall, sudden rain storms that would almost instantaneously cut your visibility to 40 feet and loooong dry patches without any decent coffee!

We got a rental 3 days before we arrived and put an offer on a house 4 days after we arrived! Life has been busy and quite an adventure. Only now, as a week has passed, do I stand on the fringes of becoming aware that this isn't a vacation. (Although I have learned that road trips are not my ideal vacation style.) It's all been a little surreal.

At this point we start the long, intangible process of settling in. I'm beginning to find my way around to the necessities like grocery stores, coffee shops and Target, although I can still get turned around. I have to say, it's a good thing I like Brian! I don't know anyone else here except one gal who is in the process of moving away, our real estate agent, our landlord (we met once) and we've had one lengthy conversation with a coffee shop owner. These things take time. There is no formula or checklist. Oh right, it's an adventure! :-)

I hope to keep you posted a little more regularly as life might be returning to some semblance of normalcy. Our rental is on a lagoon so I'll let you know if I see the elusive alligator. I have seen two armadillos - both flat as pancakes. But I hope to get a lot more connected to people rather than the wildlife!

OK, I'm Stressed Out!

There I said it! It's no shame I suppose, but I was so hoping I'd be 'cool' (maybe impervious or just have it all together). No such luck. Packing/moving really undoes me. Thanks to Brian, I have fared better than I did through previous life experiences of a similar nature. He does know me and has taken steps to make it as easy as possible. Bless him!! He is doing the lion's share, as we say, as well as the tiger's, gorilla's, elephant's and not to be forgotten - the hippopotamus'! 

That being said, we are getting down to the nitty-gritty and it's hard to avoid or for Brian to soften the blows of the moving process. Why does this undo me? Who knows. Does it matter?

I can accept that I'm not 'cool'. The problem is that I haven't been as nice to Brian lately as I would like! Here he is being so great and... An apology is in order! I still thought I'd confess to you - I'm stressed and it's hitting me that I'm really moving! Where I know no one, which I have done before a couple of times, but... Most importantly, the reasons for moving haven't changed so I'm not freaking out (big difference). It's just a tough time - the unknown is full of promise but a little unsettling, too.

Not much else to say. I DO love adventures but transitions can be uncomfortable.