It's very true that nothing changes until suddenly it's all different. You don't notice the changing color of the leaves until they're all bright yellow and orange and red, or the growth of your town until it's suddenly a city, or even your own maturing until you find a grey hair or wrinkle.
This morning Logan, Ria and I went for a walk to the park, and I noticed for the first time this year how chilly it really is getting out there. I've been looking for a winter jacket for him, and I'll be making some mittens and a hat this afternoon. In the meantime, I feel like the worst parent ever, for not bundling him until he sweats! I'm pretty sure that a few people looked at me sideways as we passed, even though I did my best to make sure Logan was covered and warm enough; undershirt, sweater, hoodie, socks, shoes, mittens and zipped up in a stroller blanket. There's no point in worrying about it, though. We do what we can, and if it's not good enough for someone else, that's too bad!
Last week we had a bad 12 hour flu sweep through our house. Even Ria wasn't feeling well. Besides that temporary sickness, though, we've all been feeling very well. Particularly me. I'm not sure if it's the meds alone that are helping, or the change of location and situation, or even the light at the end of our financial tunnel coming up, but I have been in good spirits for the past couple of weeks. My energy is coming back, and I have more motivation every day to get a few things done. I do know that the medication is helping, though, because while we were sick, I missed a couple of doses, and had a really bad day. So I have to give credit where it's due, and say thank you to my Cipralex for keeping me out of the dark. There's still a long road ahead; I certainly don't feel like I would be comfortable coming off the medication any time soon.
Since signing up at Good Life for Women, I've only managed to get a few workouts in, and a handful of volunteer hours. Mostly because Logan has been adjusting to being with new people. I've had to go to him and spend time calming him in the childcare area at the gym, so my time gets cut short. On Friday, though, he did very well! He even had a short nap! I'm looking forward to Monday, and I'm committing myself to three days a week for working out and volunteering. My workout felt a little too short on Friday, so I may even stretch it out a little, if I can. Now that Logan is comfortable in childcare, I can concentrate more on myself there, and get myself in shape!
Another slow change around here is the house itself. We're still unpacking. There's no pictures hung yet. Boxes are piled up in the kitchen where a table should be. This week I am determined to get it all finished, in one day if we have to. I don't want to go into the Christmas season with boxes still unpacked and my walls bare. I would like to give my attention to the gifts I need to make!
And then there's Logan. He is growing so fast... A week ago, he was using only a few sounds, one at a time. Now, he's babbling regularly, using many, many sounds! It sounds like he's trying to say banana, but it comes out "ba-bab-ah". He tends to leap into new tricks, so we're expecting a first word out of the blue by the end of the year.
There are so many little changes, all around us, every day... It's hard not to miss them, and even harder not to regret what we miss. We just need to pay more attention, I guess, and enjoy the moments as they come, as best we can.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Friday, November 9, 2012
Change (is good)
The big move to a new town is done. There is still some unpacking to do, and organizing, but we are taking our time to get it all put away right the first time (we spent our entire 18 months in our last place reorganizing our home every few weeks. I'm not doing that here!).
This place is a lot different, in many ways. For one, we now have three sets of neighbors, not just one. Fortunately, they all seem friendly and considerate so far. A little rough around the edges, but nice all the same. Our apartment is at once larger and smaller, if that makes any sense at all. We have more floor space, and closet space, but cupboards are lacking everywhere, and the kitchen has less counter space. I'm having to make do right now, especially without a kitchen table. On the plus side, we're forced to keep the counters clean and the dishes done! Logan's room is also smaller, but his huge closet almost makes up for it. We spend more time out in the living room anyway, so I'm not upset about his room. Ours, on the other hand, is actually bigger! I like having more room to walk around the bed. Sadly, the mirrored closet doors are not flattering at all... I feel like I belong on World's Largest People every morning when I look at myself in that mirror.
Besides our living quarters, this town is a lot different, too. There is a definite small-town mentality here. People say "Hello" when you walk by, and engage you in conversation in the line at the grocery store. I went to a pet store today, and they carried the bag of food out to the car for me, asked me all about our dog, and Logan. I'm certainly going back to Healthy Spot. There's more courtesy on the roads. Even the roads are more sensible! This place is laid out quite well, and it's been easy to find my way around on my own. I used to rely on Ryan to direct me when I was going someplace new for the first time. Of course there are familiar things here, such as stores I like to shop at, and a new favorite: The Dollar Tree. Everything for $1. Everything. I could get in a lot of trouble there!
Ryan's job, the town we live in, a new apartment... and I'm now a member at Good Life for Women! I entered my name in a ballot box for a skookum membership deal, and was drawn! Yesterday morning, I went over to the gym (which is at Superstore, the place I get all our groceries!), had a tour, and got to hear about all the deals they could give me. Basically, if I volunteer my time there, tidying up around the gym, for at least 12 hours a month, I get my membership and childcare for Logan for free the following month. I paid for this month, and starting next month, it will be free! This is exciting for me, because not only will it help me lose weight, losing weight will help my back feel better, possibly ease the deadness in my leg, and help with my depression. Not to mention, I'm now committed to getting out of the house at least six hours every week! I'll also meet new people, maybe make some friends out here. Who knows! If anyone is considering joining a gym, check out Good Life. It's definitely an Every Body kind of gym, the rates are very reasonable (about $35 a month!), and the staff were very kind and helpful. Memberships include classes; I'm scheduled for a Flow class next week: Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates all rolled into one!
Can you tell I'm excited about this?
The biggest change has been my outlook on things. I wouldn't say my depression is going away yet, but that glimmer of light is back, and I can see good things coming my way again. There's still more hard days than good ones, but slowly...
All of these good changes will help! And who knows what the spring will bring!
This place is a lot different, in many ways. For one, we now have three sets of neighbors, not just one. Fortunately, they all seem friendly and considerate so far. A little rough around the edges, but nice all the same. Our apartment is at once larger and smaller, if that makes any sense at all. We have more floor space, and closet space, but cupboards are lacking everywhere, and the kitchen has less counter space. I'm having to make do right now, especially without a kitchen table. On the plus side, we're forced to keep the counters clean and the dishes done! Logan's room is also smaller, but his huge closet almost makes up for it. We spend more time out in the living room anyway, so I'm not upset about his room. Ours, on the other hand, is actually bigger! I like having more room to walk around the bed. Sadly, the mirrored closet doors are not flattering at all... I feel like I belong on World's Largest People every morning when I look at myself in that mirror.
Besides our living quarters, this town is a lot different, too. There is a definite small-town mentality here. People say "Hello" when you walk by, and engage you in conversation in the line at the grocery store. I went to a pet store today, and they carried the bag of food out to the car for me, asked me all about our dog, and Logan. I'm certainly going back to Healthy Spot. There's more courtesy on the roads. Even the roads are more sensible! This place is laid out quite well, and it's been easy to find my way around on my own. I used to rely on Ryan to direct me when I was going someplace new for the first time. Of course there are familiar things here, such as stores I like to shop at, and a new favorite: The Dollar Tree. Everything for $1. Everything. I could get in a lot of trouble there!
Ryan's job, the town we live in, a new apartment... and I'm now a member at Good Life for Women! I entered my name in a ballot box for a skookum membership deal, and was drawn! Yesterday morning, I went over to the gym (which is at Superstore, the place I get all our groceries!), had a tour, and got to hear about all the deals they could give me. Basically, if I volunteer my time there, tidying up around the gym, for at least 12 hours a month, I get my membership and childcare for Logan for free the following month. I paid for this month, and starting next month, it will be free! This is exciting for me, because not only will it help me lose weight, losing weight will help my back feel better, possibly ease the deadness in my leg, and help with my depression. Not to mention, I'm now committed to getting out of the house at least six hours every week! I'll also meet new people, maybe make some friends out here. Who knows! If anyone is considering joining a gym, check out Good Life. It's definitely an Every Body kind of gym, the rates are very reasonable (about $35 a month!), and the staff were very kind and helpful. Memberships include classes; I'm scheduled for a Flow class next week: Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates all rolled into one!
Can you tell I'm excited about this?
The biggest change has been my outlook on things. I wouldn't say my depression is going away yet, but that glimmer of light is back, and I can see good things coming my way again. There's still more hard days than good ones, but slowly...
All of these good changes will help! And who knows what the spring will bring!
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