We've arrived! After an exhausting 4 day road trip, complete with all sorts of crazy weather, we are finally here in Oregon. It's perfectly unpredictable, weather-wise, as usual here in September. I vacillate between freezing and being slightly ok. I definitely didn't pack the right clothes for myself.
We must make a pretty comical picture as a family. My husband is in short shorts and flip flops. My daughter is in a t-shirt and capris, while my son is in jeans and a hoodie.....and then there is me... dressed like a Sherpa climbing Mt. Everest, complete with boots, scarf and jacket. Honestly, even the temperature in the house is a solid 10 degrees cooler than back in AZ. There I could tolerate 79 during the day, and 76 at night. Here it's 69 degrees during the day, and I haven't adjusted if for night. I can foresee the comfort eating continuing into my future.
Comfort eating is great once in a while, but it's not a healthy lifestyle choice. As a family, we try to eat well. For the most, part we buy organic, healthy foods, and we love to cook at home. However, I do have what I consider weird cravings for food that raise their ugly head occasionally. Jolly Ranchers, Red Vines, and Circus Peanuts are among my candy selection, along with apricots, avocados, and Carl's Jr. Famous Star burgers without cheese. I also enjoy salt and butter with a little bit of popcorn and Country Time Lemonade powder. I blame that last one on my daughter. I started craving it while pregnant, and never really got over it. I know it's gross... and slightly embarrassing when I'm caught shoveling spoonfuls of it into my face. Thankfully I tend to not eat it all of the above at one time. That would be way over the top. In any case, I'm just saying, I might need a new wardrobe if I keep eating the way I have been.
School has started off fairly smoothly, but I feel like I'm missing something. I think it's my afternoon nap...but really things are almost too easy
There is a wonderful park nearby, and the kids think everything is fantastic. I'm having to fight my helicopter parenting tendencies hard. I'm trying to find some activities for the kids to be involved with that would be different from home, but I don't want to fall back into the same crazy busy schedule we had in AZ.
In truth, today I'm really struggling. I'm trying to tell myself to give it time, but right now all I want to do is go home. I love aspects of Portland, but I don't feel like I fit in here. I don't know what to do with myself outside of taking care of the kids. I need more. Maybe that's selfish, but there it is. I've met several nice people at the park... parents, moms.. but they are strangers. I take so long to make friends. It's a slow, gradual process, and I can tell I need people I can feel comfortable with. I feel adrift without a purpose and I don't like it. This isn't me.
So, I'm taking it one day at a time. I know I will find my footing in this new environment.
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