While my new location is primarily for my own health and rehabilitation from long-haul post-Covid fatigue, It has also brought a lot of unintended and un expected issues too.
I have always considered myself a "people person" but I can usually keep myself entertained and out of trouble. However, I have discovered just how much I miss my friends. Sure, Genius Golfer is great, but if you know him, you know he is a capitol I Introvert. He is mostly at work and when he isn't he'd rather be golfing, right? Sure, we have a weekly date night and our idea of a fun family home evening is grocery shopping together, I have learned to spend a lot of time by myself.
Since this shift in location as well as my work status, we have also scaled WAY back our monthly budget. I know have 18% of what I once had control of, while acknowledging I am not in charge of grocery or household shopping by myself any more, I still have been cut to 18% to what I was used to having freedom to control. I'm not complaining, it is just another adjustment. That being said, shopping--or browsing as I usually have preferred--is no longer a real good option to spend my day.
I have read several books since I have been in R&R mode. Luckily I like reading, and did really miss that when I was working all the time. But in order to get a local library card, I have to have a new drivers license with my new address on it. And come to find out getting a new license to have the new address on it is a bit of a chore. I could get credit cards easier than a new local library card! HAHAHA But that will be my next challenge. And that will open up new avenues of learning and imagination.
Luckily, I do have a darling DIL who pops over about once a week to swim with me after she has classes. She is also rehabbing a soft tissue injury in her back so swimming has been good for her. It is good for me because it gives me someone else to talk to during the day. But it is not her job to babysit me or entertain me. I am grateful she doesn't seem to mind spending time with me though. I have thoroughly enjoyed having some one on one time with her to get to know her on a new level and I love her even more as I do.
But I have seen just how much I miss my girlfriends. Another friend from our previous area recently made a quick decision to move. (This after talking with her husband for a long time and he finally agreed with her.) Our other tribal friends are swirling about helping gather boxes and pack up her place to prep it to stage it for the market. I feel bad that I am not helping with that project. I miss texting someone and asking if they want to go get a treat, or grab a drink, or just hang out for a bit. Someday I will have people here too but I miss those that I left in our old place. Somedays that missing is stronger and harder than other days.
Today was one of those days.
