So, on Friday, I decided to grab the dilemma bull by the horns. We are pushing to have the family out here by the first weekend in February. The thought was we will sacrifice space or other comforts in order to get everyone back together. In addition, the school system here starts the Spring semester on February 4.
No, we have not sold the townhouse, yet. Yes, it will be expensive. However, if our family were a rubber band, we would be stretched just about to our limit.
Of course, nothing is every that easy. The average rent out here is $2,200 for a 3 or 4 bedroom house. Everyone asks for 1st month, last month and security deposit. The renter also has to pay the broker fee, which is equal to one month's rent. That's $8,800 for those of you keeping track. I can tell you that after $15,000 for school and 4 months un or under employed, the well is rather dry; think Sahara. I have it on good confidence that, "Money is just money." But, it doesn't grow on trees either.
I spent the day today looking at rental properties. It is a mixed bag. There is a big place that would be very nice; they are asking $2,800. That puts us up to $10,800 due in 2 weeks. Oh, and probably no pets. "Ohana" means "family." "Family" means "no one gets left behind." There is another one that is not nearly as nice. It is currently under major renovations and might be ready the first week of February. Rent - $2,300. I'll keep looking, ignoring the fact that we do not have the $8,800 to move in.
We're back on the fence on this issue. I really want them out here as soon as possible. I just don't know how we can get past the costs of moving AND come up with a small fortune just to sign a lease.
Title from Lilo & Stitch
It was a difficult day, yesterday. A fair amount of time was spent on finding better ways to communicate. This is normally very hard to do. The situation never comes up for people that are communicating well. You only really ever find yourself talking about communication because communication has broken down to some extent. And, of course, it is personal. There's no way to avoid it. I would like to think the hardest part is over. The Ps and I have worked very hard the past few months to put this together. That's not to say it will be easy. I'll be happy with easier.
Title by Yes
I know it has been a while and even longer since I have posted consistently. Work has been tough. There are many challenges to making inter-personal relationships work. "Communication is key", as the saying goes. The Ps and I are still on a bumpy road to figuring out the best ways to communicate with each other and get the job done. Did I mention the road was bumpy? Perhaps, the road has been bone-jarring might be better.
The time apart from my family is…agonizing. Agony is a good word to explain it. Getting rid of the house was not supposed to take this long. More than ever, I recognize that I am making life changing decisions for me and ma chère, but more importantly for my children. It is 7 months today since we had more than a few days together in our own space. My children have spent the better part of a year without their father at their side. It nibbles at my soul and breaks my heart to think of it.
I was approached in December to consider a position back home. It is a House Manager/Cook position. The responsibilities, hours, etc. are less than what I have here. So, too, is the salary. Also, it does not feel like there is any other potential with the position. I would stay in that rather limited role for as long as I would be with that family. That is not at all like what I face here. The obvious up side is I would be back with my family. Add to that my mid-western sense of employer loyalty, the past few bumpy weeks on the job, 6 day work weeks and you get a sense of my confusion.
What was I thinking in May?
Title by Corinne Bailey Rae
