Starting to settle in

In the last few weeks, we've been trying to get our new household set up (i.e. yard maintenance, unpacking, etc.) Some days I get a lot done, others I don't want to do anything. I haven't decided what to do with my back yard yet. I'd like to make it look like a New Orleans patio style area, or just leave the hammock and grill out there and wait to see what inspires me next.

I really want to have a Halloween party and invite my new neighbors. But I'm not sure if that is not too overwhelming a task (not to mention expensive) venture to engage in right now. I might have to put that off until next year.

We're so far away from our families now, and I'm not sure if they'll ever come to visit, which makes me sad. I still mish my old Parish quite a bit, and every time I visit my prayer corner I think of them and wish I was still there. But hopefully over time I can get past that and move forward. The older I get and the more changes in my life, it seems the less capable I am of dealing with them. But I think that applies to many of us.

We were talking about taking a vacation this year, maybe Vegas or Mexico or even up to Maine but it looks like we may be putting that off too, which is actually ok because with the high fuel prices, I don't feel exactly compelled to hand over our hard earned money to the airlines or at the pump so that the oil companies can get even richer.

People used to say, oh there will be an outcry if gas ever gets above $3 a gallon. Well it's been here, my friends, and what have we done? Nothing. What will we do when it hits $7 a gallon? Will we do nothing then and just swallow it up? We buy smaller cars to save on fuel, which is great and all, but when the fatality rates on American roads start to go up because all the so called "smart cars" aren't so smart, that will change too. And where will GM be to make all those mid sized cars we used to love?