Y5 D296

Yesterday turned out to be a very productive day. We spent the day in the potential new area with friends and looked at a bunch of places. We found one we really like that will save us between $800 and $850 a month depending on which floor plan is available. That's huge. That in one month is one pair of tickets back to MI. That's two of my credit card debts. In two months that's what I have left on my motorcycle. Get the picture?

What I have learned over these last five years is I have to give up some of lifestyle appearances I so desperately hung on to for way too long. I should have done this in year one but I was in too much denial. I kept living like I had the salary and resources from the past. Instead of admitting things weren't the same and never would be, I dug my hole deeper. Time to fill the hole. Live and learn.

We headed out about 10 and arrived in 56 minutes. If moving 56 minutes away will help change our lives and put us back on track then so be it. It's not 9 hours away, it's not even four hours away. 1 hour. I can handle that. We picked up our friends, went to lunch, then drove all over town checking things out. We checked out the places, the mall, the grocery store, the surrounding areas, etc. We wanted to make damn sure there was nothing we need on a regular basis that wasn't go to be available to us. I did this once before with X1. I moved to a new area in the name of saving and ended up divorced and drunk all the time. I won't let this happen again. Granted, X1 was also a cheating whore, so the game is a little different this time around. Also the last time I moved like this it was for a job. That makes a huge difference. This is about work - it's about lifestyle. Makes things easier if you will. Not starting somewhere new, not having to give up all our friends, not having to be isolated. All the things that were wrong when I did this before.

We ended up back at their house around 3 and watched Dallas Buyers Club. Good movie, but I couldn't really get into it. I was processing everything we had seen that day and working through things in my head. On our way home we stopped at another friend's house who lives 20 minutes from where we are looking. Again, having people we know and are close to already in the area makes this more exciting than worrisome.

Had a light dinner with him and got home around 8:30. Fed the cat, B showered, we talked over a lot of stuff, and went off to bed.

Things are happening. 5 years, but things are happening. I always said I would have my shit together within 5 years. I am right on target.