The calender says that winter is gone-- Nature here in Northern Michigan has not quite caught up but its getting there; there is less snow, more rain, and its holding steady in the mid 40's during the day. The sun can make its appearance at any point and I will cry with gratitude--this has been a long and difficult winter and one I will be very happy to put behind me.
Our trip to New Orleans was canceled due to the ne'er do well renters in our East Jordan house that simply quit paying the rent in December. Their rent pays the mortgage so when we had to make that payment plus our rent on the cabin there was no money left for the trip. There was nothing to do about it but it was a hard hit.
At this same time our beloved dog, Meg became very very ill and we almost lost her. A small financial fortune later and some fabulous Vets saved her--and us.
We re grouped , because that's what we do, and made plans to go to Florida during Spring Break to visit my father. 2 weeks before we were set to leave several jobs scheduled for our return canceled or postponed with the end result of us having the money to go- but no income to come back to or pay our bills with. So that trip was canceled as well. I was under the impression that my father understood our canceling but apparently not , as a week later he and his wife sent an email saying that they simply could not fit my children's dual graduation into their schedules. WTF? Needless to say that pretty much did in an already strained relationship.
Emotionally I think March was the hardest month I endured; I'd not been that emotionally low and physically depleted in over 20 years. Every day was a chore; every morning I woke up only to dread facing the day... I honestly couldn't pin the depth of depression on any one thing-- there was SO much that I couldn't even form a coherent conversation about how bad I felt. I was very very grateful, however, that I was no longer a drinker-- the results would have been disastrous I think...
The lack of sunlight is a HUGE contributor to my emotional state and up here we can go weeks on end with no sun-- we go from dark to brighter gloom to dark again. For days and days and days.
Given all of this ,Jack and I decided that its time to leave in the winter--at least for part of it. We are going to sell the East Jordan House,the kids are both out of high school/college come this June and there is no work here in the winter months-- its time to relieve this winter Yuck. Our first choice--of course-- was New Orleans. Unfortunately , Charlevoix's low season is their high season and getting a rental in our price range that was in a safe area, accepted both of our pets, and was decently furnished proved to be very very difficult. We are so pleased, however, to have secured a beautiful little cottage 3 blocks from the beach for 4 months in St Augustine,FLA. The owner is delightful and is fine with our paying in scheduled payments throughout the summer so that it is all set for our stay and we don't have to use a credit card. I have cousins and long term friends close by and we love the history of the area. Our beloved Nola is a mere 8 hours away by car (as opposed to 26 from Charlevoix!) so we can still get there to visit..
this summer will be busy and I am welcoming it, though I'm nervous too. I've signed contracts with the city to operate a small beach side cafe as well as a concession stand at the ball park. The hours will be crazy--but it will pay for the winter away so it should be worth it :-)
Here's to Sun, and Sand, and Hope
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