Would winter PLEASE go AWAY? Seriously....I'm sooooo tired of it . It has been so cold all week and the snow that we got has stuck around. We may even get another dusting today. How on earth will I hide Easter eggs ?

The Easter egg hunt planning has turned into a little mini-job, as everyone seems to want to get in on the action. That's a good thing though...I've had the chance to talk more with my neighbors and get to know them better. I've decided to have a little kid's hunt on one empty lot and a big kid's hunt on the empty lot next to it. This will keep the groups separated.

I am really glad that I decided to be the organizer...only for the fact that it has helped me make some new connections. My phone has been ringing off the hook "when will the website be done" (soon, soon...I'm working on it) and "do you think you could organize a walking club?" (Do I look like I walk :> ....but yah, I'll take that on! ) I've never been an organizer before (just ask those closest to me :> ) but I am jumping at the chance to make new friends. People seem to be really excited that the neighborhood is starting to do some things and I want to be a part of it all.

It turns out that the main reason people shyed away from us last year had nothing to do with CN ... but my illness and their concerns, fears or inability to know what to say. People are calling me to ask me if I need help getting anything done for Saturday and then pretty much immediately follow up with a "I hate to be rude, and you don't have to answer, but...." followed by an "are you ok health-wise now". When I say, "yes, I'm doing fabulously" I get the "we were so concerned...we saw the articles in the paper (damn, damn, damn,damn) ....we didn't know what to say...." blah, blah, blah.

It's nice to just get it out of the way and be able to move on with them.

I've been thinking a lot about fitting in and it occurred to me that when we'd been here a few years I had felt more settled because we were driving to the german school on Saturdays. I had made connections with the people there and had even started working as an assistant teacher and a sub on certain days. I had a circle of people that I knew and had coffee with when I wasn't helping out. It was....fun...and I felt that I had found my place (even though it was quite a drive). I wasn't happy in my neighborhood, but talking to people that live there is always a good reminder that I totally was not alone in feeling the way that I did. I'm still glad that we moved...and this still is my dream house. I can't wait for Spring (go away snow!!!!) so that I can get back to work in my gardens!

I had reached a real point of peace with my life when we moved to our new house. In re-reading some of my diaries and online blogs I realize that...I was really, really in a good place. I had contacts within the community, people that I could call to go and do coffee with....professional connections if I ever wanted to jump back in feet first. Things were good.

Then...came the whole illness thing..and it really set me back.

I've been wallowing in my "we've been here 7 years thing", but it isn't completely true. I did have a point where I felt settled and like I belonged...this past couple of years just threw that completely off balance. I became isolated in our new neighborhood because I got sick and didn't know anyone (well, except CN, and we all know how that ended!)...and things just went downhill from there.

I feel....like I am finding my land legs again, if that makes any sense. The more I put myself back out there again, the more I seem to be settling in again, making contacts with people and feeling like a part of the community....this...after I finally convinced Thomas to buy land in the country

Anyway, I thought it was time for a "life is finally going on" update.

kris[/quote]