Me too, Kat. I wish there were something we could do to make this easier, since the universe clearly isn't playing nice.

Also, it is totally reasonable to fear escalators

See? See! Machines of death, I tell you what.

Go, paperdol! It's an awesome theme to move from intentional online community to unintentional physical community. What a rockin' concept. Glad your people went for it. Good luck with the proposal.

Our neighborhood here is the sort where everyone sits out on their porches and calls out to each other. Yes. I am rural. But after living in cities, I'd gotten used to living with my nearest neighbor about two miles away. So I'm just now getting to where I enjoy it here. Our neighbors really are great, interesting people. But I just wasn't used to walking out and having to talk to people All The Time. Now that I'm more comfortable, it's much better.

And soon we'll move, and have a better balance, I think. Neighbors, but only one right nearby. A great sense of community, but in gathered, shared spaces like the lake. Oh, and the little post office, with the little stationary store and the little honor system lending library (isn't that made of awesome! The postmaster said, well, check out anything you like and bring it back later. Or bring back something else. Whatever!) and the little general store and the bar called "Little Bit Saloon." We'll still be close enough to have friendships with the people we know, but it'll be more on our terms and quieter and less traffic.

The SO, though, is happy all the time. He loves people, loves talking to them, does the restaurant exit interview thing, randomly makes friends with service people (which works out in getting great deals on everything, but he doesn't do it for that, he just likes people and is interested in them), strikes up conversations with people on the street. And in a town this size, no one is surprised and they all talk back cheerfully to him and greet him later when they see him again.

Aww, Kat, that just sucks. Good luck with the search. I wish you could stay home, too!

Ugh. Kat, that's awful.

I am in a blind panic because the childcare situation I had arranged fell through when my coworker lost her own nanny. So, starting today, I have to find a childcare place that I can afford and I really feel like vomitting and crying.

EESH... I am so sorry. Good luck to you.

Kat, good luck figuring out the next solution. I know you will.

Damn, Kat, I'm sorry. Why oh why for all the "family values" "what about the children" talk can we not have decent affordable child care?

**Goes to find JZ so we can rant about it together**

Child care is one of the most stressful things about parenting. When it falls apart, it's such a panic.

FotC-inspired recipe: Lasagna for one

Ugh, Kat. Sending much ~ma that you'll find a good solution soon.

Growing up rural, I really knew my neighbors, because most of them were my aunts and uncles. My grandfather had a small farm, and as his children grew up he gave them each an acre to build a house on and sold them other land at a low price if they were so inclined. Decades later, it's a good thing as that generation is aging and developing health problems, because they're so close together and able to visit and help each other out. My cousins, brothers, and I, however, are scattered to the four winds, so we'll have to come up with our own support networks.

In our new place (we just moved there in April) we know the guys who rent the other half of our duplex. They courteously give us notice when they're planning a party, I knock on their door whenever Annabel's toys land on their side of the fence, etc. But we don't know anyone else on our block. I'd like to be more social, but it's tough when you're an introvert married to an introvert, working full time, raising a 3-year-old, writing and taking part in writers' organizations, and singing in a choir. I'd just as soon hole up in my cave whenever I have free time, y'know?