The Countdown Begins... NOW!

I haven't posted here in a while as things have been just crazy, and believe it or not it is just getting started. Since that cold January week a lot has transpired. I suppose I should fill you all in.

I did survive the Snowoclypse with only one fall. I was quite proud of myself! It was the very last day after all the snow had melted, and it was freezing. I had found one of the last pieces of Black Ice. Let my butt tell you how that felt. I had purchased some YakTrax the weekend before knowing that it would snow and be very icy. But because the snow had melted, I thought I didn't need them. Yeah... that was a mistake. Yes, I learned from that one.

Shortly after that, it was getting ready for these papers to be signed. At first I had no printer, no paper, no envelopes or the money to deal with this. (Let me tell you, you thought that getting married is expensive. ) We (The ex and I) finally got all the components ready, and mailed it out. In just enough time for our first target date (April 21st), but after having them come back with the statement of "I need more money for postage" I was just frustrated. I have somewhere to be people! I had to waste more stamps and an envelope to send it out AGAIN!

While waiting for those papers to get back, I started to pack and make plans for what we need to get done before Move #1. Oh yes, we get to move twice but I will get to that. We get the papers back, fairly quickly and we now have our date! It is a farther out than I expected but, we will make it work. We are now looking at May, early. I am getting excited, but then I realize it is officially 85 days today. Initiate panic mode!

We now file that one certain thing every year, Taxes. Wonderful! Yet because my and the Ex's taxes are difficult, (always have been) we go to a company whom can prepare our taxes for us. Of course because of the complexity, and extra forms it costs quite a bit. I ask how we are going to pay for it, he said he would pay for half. Fine, that is wonderful. Oh yeah. I forgot to tell you, it won't be until the following week. Wonderful I think, just wonderful. The second week of the month and you are expecting me to be able to pay this AND my bills. Right! I digress.

I get it done, sent and it is now on its way should be here soon! I get half as per the state laws (even though I made most of the money last year) and we will not have to cross paths until the sign date. Now I am sitting here thinking how much stuff is on my to do list. Lets list this out.

Pack for Missouri ( The First move)

Find a house to rent

Update my resume

Get a Local Missouri number for my cell phone

Find a job

Get my Student loans deferred.

Pay for the shipping crate

Pay for the 2 vet bills (the first one for general check up, second for the flight)

Pay for the cat carrier, harness and other necessary accessories.

Pay for my Doctor visit & prescriptions

Pay for 1 round trip flight, and 1 one way with Cat carry on.

Learn a new way of eating

Still maintain my work ethic under the stress of a dying job ( I recognize a sinking ship when I see one)

Commute, and not be exhausted

Maintain my relationship with my Boyfriend.

The list goes on, not to mention that once I am there I am going to be packing once again (which there should be very little) to move into a new house. You can feel the stress from not only myself but him too. Today I said that we need to start this teamwork bit, because we are not going to make it with our sanity if we keep going this way. (Two people working separately, yet for the same cause.)

So I am asking for him to put some of his stress upon me, as I request things of him. I tend to have more free time over the weekends, between sleeping and packing. He has a sense of Saint Louis, so if I search for houses, he can approve and do a drive by ( to look at it!). We need to start saving what little coins we have, and just make this happen. I will do my best to support him even though I am so very far away. I am not completely helpless, and would rather be in, what I call, the "War zone". I mean come on Sarge, I have proven I can do my job... Just look at me! I am ready! Let me go, let me help my team mates... They need re-enforcement, I AM THAT GIRL!

I have learned that we both lead a high stress lives, and will continue to be high stress until we have a place, a job for me and take a deep breath. This is where we start... the beginning. I passed the first test, living with him for two weeks. I think I passed the second test, staying with the kids for a week, and helping with the Holidays. I think this our third. We need to start passing each other the things that you can pass off. If you have time to cook, then cook. If you have time to search flights and get them paid, do it. If I need to call the airline to ensure that My ticket has the pet fee and register that we will have a cat. I will do it. This is the time where we really show what we are made of. I think we can make it do you?

Stress will come and go, but Love is there for a long time, only if you can ask for help when it is needed. I am here for you, as you are there for me. Teamwork. We... can.. do.. this! I have faith. We just have to keep our sanity for only 85 more days, then a break. Then we start again. Lets go Sarge!

Yuletide and the Lunar Eclipse

As I wait for coffee to brew I thought to stop a moment to tell you a few things I learned today.

This morning was my second Lunar Eclipse that I actively seeked and wanted to take photos of. It was beautiful to see her starting to fade, like an entire month in just a few hours. But as I was darting in and out of the cold I decided that it was time to just bundle up and watch it.

As I got ready I turned on my first Yule tide song of the season. I enjoy the instrumental kind, and thankfully Pandora has a station for that. I bundled up in my new Yule Hello Kitty fleece pants, snowflake slipper socks, Hello Kitty Slippers, a light blue tank to match my pants, a Fleece jacket, a shawl my mother made me and my finger-less gloves. I took my phone and loaded the same Pandora station and out I went with camera in hand.

I got to the top of the stairs in search of Luna, and she was not to be found. Hidden behind clouds, and obstructed from view. I couldn't give up searching for her, I looked and walked across the property in search of her, but alas after nearly a half hour had gone past. The chill was settling in my cheeks, I decided after writing a note to my love I would call it a morning.

But during this time, my search for a Luna I took a few moments to look around. There were cars and no other person but I saw maybe two. Too early for everyone to be awake on a Saturday. The ice was upon the ground, and the beauty of how still it was. It hasn't snowed yet here. And though I hate traveling in it, and I hate being cold. I wouldn't miss that first snow for the world.

The amazement that you get out of white fluff falling from the sky. It's Breathtaking. I came here to tell you what I have discovered. Beyond the Holiday shopping, the Yuletide gifts, and the crazy frustrated people there is peace. There is beauty, and alas there is such gifts that you only get from nature. Take a moment a single moment to realize that even though the big businesses believe that Yule is about profits, and the gift giving, it really isn't about that. It is about the peace that you see, and the family you are around.

I am thankful for this Yule I will be experiencing something special. I will be flying out to visit my boyfriend and his family and kids family. I get to spend it with my own family. I just get to spend this time with people, that care about me as I care about them. I may get to see the beauty of snow upon the ground and watch his kids play in such. I look forward to this Yule, as I really expect wonderful things.

Thank you Lady Luna for your view today. I am sorry I missed you become dark but know that I look forward to you every eve with your sister stars. You m'lady are an amazement in itself. So please take this moment to just feel at home, and even take a moment to experience your loved ones. Blessed Be this Yuletide season.

How many days until Yule?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

I realized I think Wednesday this week that I only have less than two weeks until Yule (well Christmas, Yule is LESS!) I talked to the boyfriend to find out the list yesterday to find out that I have to ship the Yule gifts to Missouri! I have about 7 families to provide baked goods for! SEVEN!

I could not believe that once again I procrastinated Yule. You can't bake that much in such a short amount of time! I mean I will do it because I care about giving people good yummy baked goods but I can't do as much as I normally do. I told the boyfriend that we must remember earlier like right after Thanksgiving to start my baking fest.

The holidays snuck up on both of us this year. Next thing I know it is Thanksgiving, and then My birthday. Then its Yule, then Christmas, then OMG 2012! (I kinda hope that Father Christmas gives me a paper shredder this year! )

Speaking of the Holidays, I am starting a new tradition this year. I am actually traveling this year. I in my now 28 years have never flown during the Holidays. Most of my family is here in Washington, and I just spend it with them. But this year, I am spending the Christmas Holiday with my Boyfriend's family. I hope that it will be special, and well with my time. I love the change and hope that it continues until I find my settle point.

I have now 7 days to finish at least 13 pumpkin breads, and a few dozen cookies per each type. This week will be a crazy one! I will try to post some pictures of my Yule Gifts!