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I think it’s about time for a coffee date! Get your pumpkin spice latte and I’ll have a cold brew. Or maybe you should get a glass of wine since we’re on such a big time difference.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that we got to Hawaii almost three months ago and I finally feel like I’m settled. Our house still isn’t ready, but luckily, if you have wine, no one seems to mind that there are still piles of things that need to get hung up on the walls. All of the boxes are unpacked and we’re almost organized.
I decided to take my time getting settled because we are going to be in this house for three years. In Connecticut, I kind of shoved things in closets and didn’t really care where I threw up our pictures. Wherever there was already a nail, that’s where I hung stuff up. Even in our last home, where we lived for two years, I didn’t really put any effort into decorating. But I want to make a home. Especially since we have all brand new everything. If that means it takes 6 months, I’m okay with that.
I would tell you that I’ve met some incredible, kind, and fun people here in Hawaii. I’m so grateful to have met such awesome women so quickly. The awesome thing about meeting other military spouses is that you already have a connection even if you’re from completely opposite ends of life. You bond quickly and you know that you’ve met someone who gets it, who will come over and help you unpack and navigate the messes and have wine with you when your spouse is working late and watch your kids if you’re in a pinch. I also think it’s good for you to meet people who are so different from you.
I would tell you that I’ve been working hard to find writing jobs. Even though I haven’t been hugely successful, it’s only making me want to work harder. I think that rejection can be good for you if you take the feedback. I also think that there is room for everyone in the writing/blogging world and I’m not going to give up on my dreams.
I would tell you that Nick’s best friend recently got engaged and that we’re planning to go to California soon to meet his fiancé and help him celebrate. I am so excited and I know Nick is too because he didn’t think he would be able to get off.
Speaking of trips back home, I also booked a trip home after Thanksgiving to see my family for a few days. I really can’t go more than a few months without getting off this island. I don’t get bored, I just miss home. It’s going to be a short trip but I’m so excited to go to New York and get myself into the holiday spirit. Unfortunately Nick won’t be able to join me for this trip, but we’re hoping to plan another holiday trip soon after.
I would tell you that I’m already starting to think about Christmas. I like to be prepared and I don’t like doing things at the last minute because that takes all the joy out of things. I kind of hate how everyone is always getting annoyed when you want to think about the holidays early. I love the holidays and I don’t think there is anything wrong with starting early and savoring the seasons. Christmas music in October? Why not? If it makes you happy, go for it. You do you.
I also think that being a military family makes you start thinking about Christmas much earlier than you normally would, because there are so many things that you need to decide. When you already live near your family you might not have to ask questions like, Will you go home? Will you stay here? How much are plane tickets? Even though we still don’t know what is happening for Christmas because we don’t have Nick’s schedule yet, we’re planning to make seeing family a priority. I also have some fun ideas for gifts that I want to make for people. Last year, everyone in my family handmade gifts for each other. It wasn’t something we all decided, we all just did it. And those are the most special Christmas gifts I’ve ever gotten. So this year I want to make some of my gifts again and that takes some more planning.
What are you up to this fall?
Yay for finally feeling settled! It’s nice to feel like you are home. 🙂
Thanks! Yes it is! We’ve been in transition for so long and it just feels so nice to walk in the door and feel like we’re home.
It’s so cool that you’ll live in Hawaii for three years! I’ve always wanted to visit. It sounds beautiful. I can imagine it’s much different than New York though! Do you miss the snow? Haha!
So glad we were able to connect! I’m looking forward to getting to know you better and reading about your adventures!
Hey there! I’m so glad we found each other’s blogs! I do miss the leaves changing in the fall and even the snow and winter. But I love it here so I really can’t complain! Luckily I’m going home in a few weeks so I’ll get to taste the cooler weather for a little bit. I love Hawaii so much and I definitely think it’s worth visiting! It’s a long way away but there is no place like it.
I’m so bad at decorating, I don’t like punching holes in the walls! Ooh, I’ll be heading to New York for Thanksgiving as well, can’t wait – it’s been 10 years since I’ve had Thanksgiving in the US! I admit, I forget about Christmas cos its so darn hot here. HAHA
10 years?! Wow, I’m so glad you’re going back this year! I am really bad at decorating and I just don’t like doing it. Too many decision! What if it doest looks right?! And my husband doesn’t like to do it either so we have been putting it off for a few months. But, once things are on the walls, I get so happy and it makes the place feel like home! So this weekend I’m getting back at it.
We have some plans for fall themed dates coming up later in the month when our schedule isn’t so crazy, including an apple festival. But I’m most excited about a Harry Potter festival in our area that is happening in a couple weeks. I love Harry Potter and think that I have converted my husband as well.
A HARRY POTTER FESTIVAL?!?! Oh wow, that sounds amazing! I hope you have a lot of fun and take tons of pictures because I really want to see. My husband and I went to Harry Potter World over the summer and it was amazing! I always wanted to have a Harry Potter themed Halloween party, but with moving it just is too much this year… Next year for sure!
We went to the one in Universal Florida and I loved it! Here’s the festival- https://chestnuthillpa.com/events/harry-potter-festival-2016/. Looks like a lot of fun!
Oh my gosh this looks amazing! Adding to my bucket list! Thanks so much for sharing.
I’m so happy you’ve met some good people already!
Thanks! I am so introverted and so bad at going out and meeting people. I’m lucky that you get some “built in friends” in life. And I’m lucky that I get along with the women I’ve met really well!
That sucks that Nick won’t be able to go back home with you at thanksgiving, and I totally understand the need to see your family, especially since you live so far away. I have a feeling that you and my friend Natalie would be best friends! I’m pretty sure that she’s already listening to Christmas music, and I know that she’ll have all the Christmas movies on all the time as soon as hallmark starts playing them nonstop!
Oh I am spending Thanksgiving here in Hawaii! That might have been confusing the way I wrote it. I can’t leave my husband for Thanksgiving. It’s both of our favorite holidays. I’m heading home right after sort of as a way to see everyone around the holiday. My mom has a crazy job where she has to plan her vacations a whole year in advance, which is hard with my life where I never know what I’m doing even a few months ahead. But she has off the week after Thanksgiving so I am going home to spend it with her! Also I want to meet you friend Natalie! Christmas movies are my favorite – the cheesier, the better!
I am a-ok with talking about Christmas right now 🙂 I have a few gifts purchased already and I’ll probably order our Christmas cards by the end of the month! No shame, lady!
I’m glad you’re taking time to settle in. Do it at the pace you’re comfortable with and it’ll be a complete home in no time! (Although we’ve been in our house for three years and STILL have to hang some pictures…. ha.)
Thank you!!! I already ordered a few things and I am really exited about them. Christmas cards are one of my favorite parts about Christmas and I’m already looking online and trying to decide which picture I should use!
I love this style of post, it’s really creative 🙂 lately I’ve been so much more interested in posts that are personal or tell a story or give insight into someone’s life, rather than impersonal, polished top 10 lists etc. I’m glad you are feeling settled in Hawaii 🙂
Wow thanks so much Sarah! I have been gravitating towards bloggers who are more personal too, like yours. Have I told you lately how much I love your blog?? :)) I copied the idea of a “coffee date” type post from a bunch of other bloggers, but I like it a lot because you can talk about whatever is on your mind that might not have gotten a whole blog post.
ha I’ve lived in our house for 2.5 years and we’re still not settled. In my defense, I feel like once I’m settled then I’ll want to move to tackle a new project. I’m also incredibly indecisive. That’s so great that you’ve been able to forge friendships with some great women and so quickly too! That can be a tricky thing to do.
I am not super outgoing so making friends can be hard for me, but it’s a lot easier when you are starting out with so much in common, when you meet other military spouses. I am so indecisive when it comes to hanging up stuff on the walls! I just keep telling myself I can always change it which is helping me get started
Your paragraph about Christmas/the holidays is completely me too. I saw holiday stuff in TJ Maxx this weekend and wasn’t mad about it at all even if it is three months early. I feel like the holidays go by so fast I like to make them last as long as possible, plus like you said, if you wait until the last minute it takes some of the joy out of it. It sounds like you have some great trips coming up, and I’m glad you’ll be able to see your family before the holidays and get to visit with nick’s friends. I’m only an hourish plane ride from my family, but it’s still really hard, so I can only imagine what it’s like for you being so far away, but I’m sure it helps to feel settled in your new home.
I definitely love to make them last as long as possible! The holidays can be so stressful but I feel like by starting a bit early, you can take away some of the stress and make it so much more fun. I haven’t started listening to Christmas music yet, but I have started looking at Christmas cards and I bought a few presents. Next time I’m in the store I might have to get some wrapping paper cause you can never seem to have enough of that ;)) Being so far from family is so hard especially at this time of year. But starting to think about Christmas early and making plans helps me because it gets everyone on the same page early. It seems to make less stress once the holidays already start to come and everyone knows what the plan is. I hope you have a blast getting ready for the holidays!!