Life Update: Our living situation, buying a home, and other things.

Greetings blogger stalkers (just kidding.)

I've been meaning to post this for a while, and well, life happens...even to those of us without much going on.

This year has been different to say the least. The first official year my husband has been fully separated from the military, and us completely living amongst other civilians.
I won't lie, it's been absolutely amazing living close to our friends and family again. There will never be a time my husband and I will ever choose a job career somewhere distant than being near family ever again. The long distance really took a toll on both of us (especially me.) We've come to realize we are better individuals when we get to see our families. To each their own, this is just what works for us.

Now onto all those questions we've constantly been getting...

First and foremost, the most frequently asked question we've received is our current living situation.
Where the heck are we living??

There have been quite a few "rumors" going around, but to much dismay, no, we are not living WITH either side of our families. We are renting an awesome rental from my husband's family. A fully self-sustained unit they remodeled the year prior, and asked if we would like to be the first ones to try it out. I won't lie, it's quite small (1 bed 1 bath) but for us with 2 fur kids, it's perfect for now. There are nooks, crannies, and a place for all our treasures. There are times where we get under each other's feet, but we consider ourselves blessed to be able to live in the same little town as both our families, and saving some $$$ for our first home. The kitties seem content, and this year we have plans to build a "catio" outside for them. I've hung up a clothesline to save on electricity, planted an array of flowers, and we have a sweet little patio area outdoors to share with our friends and family who come to visit. It's crazy how things really do fall into place at just the right time.

Which leads me to the next question. Why haven't we purchased a home yet???

This question might be tied with the first, because this one gets asked a TON as well.
We can technically purchase a home now. We have already been pre-qualified, and are planning to use the VA loan. However here's the catch. Homes around this neck of the woods are PRICEY at the moment. Like crazy over-priced (sorry but I expect 1920's shacks to be made of gold with a price tag of 450K...this isn't Portland folks.)
A year before my husband separated from the military we started searching for our first home, calling realtors, setting up showings, etc. I even came back to our hometown to check these homes out, send my husband pics, and contact the home owners with competitive offers.
In the past 2 years we've put FOUR different offers on FOUR beautiful and unique homes, all to be outbid by full cash offers. To say that was disappointing is putting it nicely.
We were really wanting to have a home waiting for us when my husband officially separated, but it just didn't work out (perfect timing with my in laws rental though huh?)

So for now, we are renting. While it's not our first choice, it's a smart move for us, in order to save up for a larger down payment. Hopefully (fingers crossed) in 3-5 years this crazy housing market here will cool off a bit. Because this is seriously cray cray, lol.

I think that's kinda all I'd like to cover in this blog post. There's a few other things I would like to share that's been weighing on my heart, but I think I'll leave that for another time.

Until then, happy Wednesday!

Cheers,
~Kadie

[why] I don't do Winter

Tuesday, December 26th.

The day after Christmas. The most busiest day to return items to the store.

An introvert's worst nightmare (well one of them.)

If you've been with me for a while, you would know that I'm an introvert, and don't really like people. If you're new to my blog, or have no idea who I am, then hey, hi hello, my name's Kadie and I'm a hardcore introvert/homebody.

So anyways, let's move on to the good juicy stuff, in which the title entails just what I'm gonna be talking about in this blog post.

It's been a while again hasn't it? Yeah, I'm kinda bad at keeping up with this stuff. And to be honest, I have really no good excuse other than I'm one lazy piece of (eh, I wouldn't consider myself that low...)
Scratch that. I've just been doing other things with my personal life than blogging.

It's wintertime here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, and putting it nicely, I hate it.

It's not necessarily the fact that it's FREAKIN' cold out there (although I am vaguely aware that there are other places on this planet that reach the single and even negative temps?!? GASP???)

Ya wanna know why I really don't like this time of year? Let me begin about 3 years ago...

It was December 27th, 2014. My husband and I had landed on US soil for the first time in a year, after being overseas the past 3 years. We had just moved to Idaho, and wanted to visit our families during the holidays in Washington. The holidays were a magical and special time, and we weren't able to spend this time together the past 3 years, so we really wanted to take advantage of the [shorter] distance between our families and us.

I think our heads were still filled with that adrenaline of stupidity from being away for so long, because traveling from Idaho to SW Washington during THE BUSIEST and WORST WEATHER time of year has got to be one of the dumbest things either of us had thought of doing in a 2WD with summer tires vehicle. (ARE YOU KIDDING ME.)

Well somehow we managed the trek to our families, but the way back to Idaho was a different story.
It took us 12, yes TWELVE hours instead of the usual 8 to drive back.

To make matters worse, we got into a car accident.

I remember the short pause of silence before the impact. I remember my arm hitting the dash board, and bracing for impact. I remember the loud crash, the cat carries flying forward.
You don't really forget stuff like that.

Thankfully we all weren't seriously hurt to the point that we needed medical assistance, just a little bruised up. Our car was banged up pretty bad, and had to be towed to the nearest mechanic. Granted this was at 2:30 in the freaking morning...yeah.

So this is one of the reasons why I don't like winter. Because of the remembering of the car accident...it's called PTSD (and not just military personnel can have it.) There I admitted it. I'm afraid. I don't care if I'm driving or not, I don't want to be in a vehicle if the roads are snowy/icy/whatever.

Another reason I don't do winter is the cold. Thank you sweet Baby Jesus for providing us heat the past 3 years, because the 3 years before that were basically miserable. Living in 53 degree F conditions where your hands are so cold that even with gloves they still swell and ache isn't fun.

Wintertime just isn't something I like. The holidays are filled with crazy spending, and too many people in the stores. The days are short, the nights are cold. The roads are sketchy.

I know I'm complaining, that there are far worse things to be sour about. That life is short, and to just suck it up, and deal with it. To grab life by the reins, or whatever the heck you hang on to, and steer your own path. It's MY life.

But hey ya know what? This is my blog, my life, and this is my way of venting, without pouring every single thing I'm thinking on social media. Because I know I'm already annoying quite a few peeps with my silly snow story excuses.

Until the driveway melts, I'll be here. Blogging, crafting, listening to some new tunes on Spotify. Basically waiting it out until the dang ice melts, and I can wrap my head about actually going into civilization again.

Thank God for internet. And brie cheese.
Oh am I a first world problem person or what?

Damaged Souls

"You will never understand the amount of pain that can stay hidden away in the deepest corners of a lonely damaged soul unless it's inside you."

-JS

We're all a little messed up really. The way a human being encounters life, against whatever odds are thrown at us. I agree, some of us may have it "easier" than others...or so it may seem. Some of us deal with things better than others. But there is no mistaking that some of us have been so hurt, that we become damaged, bruised souls.

It became apparent that no matter the effort or love given to someone,

They have to allow themselves to accept and appreciate it.

It comes with time; to learn, to grow, and understand.

You weren't meant to live in despair, to feel hopeless.

Life is too short to be sad.

Individuals come into our lives for a reason,

Whether it's for the good to help aid, 

Or for the bad to learn a lesson.

Life is random, beautiful and terrifying all at once.

You are not broken, only bruised.

Little by little, you are healing.

It comes with accepting, believing.

You are worthy of all life's endeavors.

You are a survivor, a fighter.

Keep telling yourself that.

~KWF

Hurry UP and WAIT

So it's a "Talk about it Tuesday" which I created many moons ago, yet never took it seriously, basically completely forgot it even existed, and here we are.

With a glass of wine in tow, Ben Howard on Spotify, and a mind full of thoughts, here's how this blog post is going to start off.

Long, slow sip...

My last blog post entry was a brutally honest, yet very real in depth look into how my life has changed over the past 6 months. I've grown from this once bitter, "bitchy," hasty prude, who never wanted even the thought of raising a human child, to a more open-minded, spiritual, somewhat cheerful individual, who opened her extremely naive mind up to the thought of foster-adoption. Because heaven forbid, someone as mentally unstable and hypochondriac as myself could ever envision the thought of bearing children. Come on, it's me, Kadie. Really?

The amount of views I received from said blog post was mind boggling.
Yikes.

Siiiipppp....

So now here's a new one for ya. One that's been on my mind for quite some time, pondering...almost lost in thought, then a spark of ignition and I have these thoughts wrapped around the cobwebs in my thinking cavity.

My life as I know it, is going to be changing in a few very short months. Well, it's more my [husband's] and my lives are going to be changing.

If you have absolutely no idea, my husband is currently in the service. Military.
This walk of life hasn't been the nicest to both of us, and a few years ago my husband made the decision to end his time in the military once his time in service was completed. And guess what folks-next year is it!! As much as we are completely thrilled by this ever closing chapter in our lives, I can't help but think, "We are so spoiled, and will so not be, once we return back to civilian life."

It's true.,.for the most part.

The military has provided quite a bit to a young and ignorant couple as ourselves. We unfortunately don't know anything else since we are a "military wed couple" who moved far across the world to an unknown fate just 6 days after saying "I do." We have been married for roughly 5 years currently, btw!

But this civilian world is going to be new, challenging, and basically a disaster, lol.
Ok maybe not a disaster, but it's going to be TOUGH.

Sip. Sip. Sip.

We have been very blessed to be offered housing from my husband's family, who are currently working on their rental for us, and then for more tenants in the future. I am so thankful for this opportunity because honestly, my husband and I wouldn't be able to afford rent when we move back to our hometown next year. The cost of living and rental prices are OUT OF THIS WORLD.

I wish we could buy a home. We've talked about it. But since my husband is separating, and will be unemployed, we will not qualify for any sort of home loan until we can prove we can provide a form of payment monthly. So there goes that.

I feel like I'm just babbling on this blog post, lol.


So there ya go. I feel like I'm hurry up and waiting for what feels like a century. I'm ready to be done with this current lifestyle, but at the same time I'm scared sh**less for what the future's going to hold. We'll be in limbo, unemployed, and basically starting off life from square one again. Talk about a game changer.

I would love to continue blogging my trials and tribulations of living amongst civilians again. It's going to be freaking scary. Part of my is ready, and part of my wants to curl up in the fetal position rocking myself while wearing footie pajamas and a jar of Nutella within arms reach.

Wish me luck.

It's Been a While, and Things Have Changed...

I'm writing this on a Monday evening after spending 6 hours earlier this afternoon packaging up lots of orders from my "Spooky Sale" over on my Etsy shoppe (www.thesweetiebee.etsy.com)


It's been over 6 months since I've confided on my blog about my personal life.

Woah....

What's ironic about what I'm about to say might shock quite a few of you who have kept up with my blog over the past few years.


    The last blog I wrote mentioned how children weren't an ideal addition to my current life, and possibly my future as well. I didn't feel as if I would make a great mother, and figured since I just didn't pose the "mommy brain" I would just come to terms with never experiencing that chapter in my life.

    Over the past few months something has been weighing heavily on my heart.

That something is adoption.

I've been asked by numerous people who I've confided this to, tell me why would I wish to adopt?
Honestly, I think the reason why adoption weighs heavily on my heart is because the love and affection I have towards my two cats, Jubalee and Butters, and how they didn't spawn from my loins, yet I think of them as my babies, my "fur kids."

The "motherly" desire is there, clearly, because of the amount of love I have for my two cats. I don't know...I always remember the saying, "Love is love is love," and feel that I could love a child that didn't "come" from me.

    Yes, I am very aware a CAT is NOT a human being. I am VERY aware human children are much more expensive, require much more needed care, and also much more dedication than the average feline.

But....is what many individuals do not understand is Jubalee is a diabetic cat, and requires much much more needed attention and care than any average cat. Again I am absolutely NOT comparing my diabetic feline to a child!!

I've also been versed in the costs for adopting a child. What country I wish to adopt from, and also whether or not to go forth with an open adoption verses a closed adoption. I am aware of the amount of time I could potentially be waiting for a child to enter my life as well.

I honestly haven't gotten too far into this thought, but it's there, and it's been weighing on my mind.

The thought of being a "mother" to a human child hasn't quite sunk in, and I still have absolutely no desire into having my own children. (Yes my husband and I are still happily married...this is NOT the reason I've been considering adoption.)

There are personal reasons why I've been considering this idea, yet I'm not comfortable discussing those reasons entirely.

Hopefully I'll post more often than once every 6 months, especially with this post and hopefully more similar to it.

Until next time,

Kadie~

Are We Ever Having Kids?

Are we ever having kids???

    Today we celebrated our four years of being in holy matrimony. It has seriously felt like it was just yesterday we were standing in front of our friends and family saying our vows to one another and exchanging rings, becoming one.

    We've always had friends and family ask us when a Baby Frazier was in the works. Ever since our one year mark. We've joked around saying, "Well as a matter of fact we are!" and even did an April Fool's joke (this was before all the sensitivity of couples with infertility or miscarriages.) Although it was merely a joke, we were surprised to find out many friends and family weren't thrilled at first that we were "expecting."

    About three years ago I became very bitter and drew myself in a very depressive and angry state of mind. I didn't want kids because I just didn't. This made my husband not only sad but confused since I had always wanted children way before we were married. I talked about names, genders, timeline of births, etc. My husband has always wanted kids too. He LOVES kids. When he was in high school he spent a few years caring for his nephew which he learned what kids need and how to discipline them. I was introduced to kids when I started working for some local day cares. Kids are AMAZING little people. I fell instantly in love with many of these little humans, and couldn't wait to have my own one day with my significant other.

    Everything changed once I got married. Once I moved out of my parent's home, once I actually started adulting. I was ignorant, naive, and childish. I lived in this fantasy I saw on television, and how these families were so incredibly happy and life was carefree. Life ISN'T amazing all the time, and adulting is HARD. 

    So back to this serious question: Are my husband and I ever having KIDS??????????????????????

Honestly, after being married for four years, and together for almost six years, we are NOT the same people we were way back when. We've grown up, moved overseas and back, pay our own bills, and legitimately ADULT now. We still live far from family, and honestly can't call or run back to mommy and daddy all the time. We take care of ourselves, and we do us.

My husband and I have a five year plan, which at the moment doesn't include kids...yet.

We are separating from the military, moving back to our state of residency, and hopefully buying our first home. We are both planning to go back to school, receive degrees, be hired at stable jobs, and THEN maybe if we have a missing something in our lives, kids will happen. It's not a yes, but it's also not a no either. 

    We both love kids. We love our friend's kiddos here at our current base, and love seeing our friends bring new life into their family. Babies are seriously freaking adorable. 

But we're just not sure if having our own kids is what we both want. This also goes for adoption. We just aren't sure. We are so fulfilled with our lives at the moment, and when we talk about having a baby, the conversation easily gets put on the back burner, because we simply can't imagine our lives with a baby yet. 

   Our lives are somewhat hectic currently. Many people don't believe that, and when we say "special need pets," many cock their head, or laugh out loud and say, "Oh sure."

Our kitties require quite a bit of attention, especially our little diabetic kitty, Jubalee Jujubee. We usually have to cut our dinners with friends short, or run back home to test, feed and give Jubalee her insulin. Then run back to our friend's home, and then back a few hours later to check her glucose numbers. She's not a person, who we can just tote along and everything's fine and dandy. She's a CAT.  Cats are homebodies. Cats HATE car rides. Cats are weird, lol.

So there ya have it. Kiddos are not a definite no, but they're also not a definite yes either. We are also NOT "not preventing and what happens will happen" method. We respect every other couple's decision with their choice in children, and would appreciate our choice as well!

Almost Giving Up & Realizing the Reality

**DISCLAIMER: This blog post is NOT describing a suicide attempt, suicidal thoughts, or any of the above. If you are going through any of these thoughts, PLEASE seek necessary help before reading someone else's thoughts and how they're attempting to get over their depression/anxiety. Mental illness should NOT be self diagnosed, and reading a blog post isn't the first place to start. Please seek help. I thought this should be made clear BEFORE you read in depth more into this blog post.

I almost gave up.

This last year, 2015 was by far the year I have struggled with the most out of all the years in my short 27 years of living. I'm not going to say the entire year was shit, because it wasn't. I had some amazing thing happen last year also.

But as a complete whole, the majority of last year was rocky.

I'm not exactly sure when I realized my "Ah Ha!" moment became a thing, but it did. Probably the new year had something to do with it, and probably all the folks with the memes jabbing how the gyms are always full with new people, then a few weeks later return to the same low number. Maybe it sparked my ambition, I dunno.

The year 2015 did something to me. It made me realize that my life up until those difficult moments was being lived ignorantly, and blindly. I was so incredibly oblivious to the "normality" of everyday life, having very little desire to escape my home, meet up with friends, or even volunteer my bottom loads of time to help the community. I was a dependent hermit, who hated being alone. 

And sadly, I was completely and one hundred percent okay with that....or so I thought.

I really take those sayings about "In order to have the high moments, you have to experience the low moments in life as well" to heart. There's a bunch of them out there, and they all basically mean the same thing. In order to experience being happy, you also need experience being sad.

And that's exactly what happened to me in 2015. I was "sad" for most of the year, beginning in April when one of our beloved kitties fell deathly ill. My life during those moments was completely shattered. My heart was aching, and I felt so weak and unable to fully process what was happening to myself during those troubling  moments. 

I almost gave up. 

My husband and I almost made the decision to put our very sick kitty to sleep, so she wouldn't suffer anymore. So we wouldn't suffer emotionally and financially anymore.

I almost gave up...hope.

I'd call this ultimately incredible low moment in my life a blessing in disguise. It made me so much more aware of life, and how ignorant and honestly STUPID I was to the outside world. Because I had been living this perfect little happy pappy fairy tale of a housewife for so long. Realistically speaking, I wasn't even slightly ready for something life changing as what happened to our kitty.

It was almost like a snowball effect, or when it rains it pours type of deal. One not-so-great thing happened again and again. A health scare, a diagnosis, another financial crisis, another health scare, etc. This year brought the most challenges into our lives than any other year had so far.

I almost gave up.

There were times I just wanted to run away, back to my parent's home and hide in the closet for all eternity. Not having a desire to deal with the world, not existing in the reality of things. Just breathing.

I almost gave up...my ambition.

I don't think I've ever cried as much as I did last year, never felt as much hurt and pain. To be so incredibly LOW, and have absolutely ZERO desire at all to even get out of bed. 

I almost gave up..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

BUT...I didn't.

In a way I believe it's a GOOD thing for not-so-great things to happen to people, in a certain period in their lives. I think some people really NEED a good kick in the pants. To show them just how wonderful and amazing life can be when you take away from the bad and turn those terrible things into something WONDERFUL and SPECIAL. 

"When life throws you lemons, make lemonade."

Living with a special needs cat has taught me the ultimate responsibility. Understanding Jubalee (the kitty's) diabetic needs has helped me understand what it's like to care for someone who is very dependent on YOU, and you only. Before Jubalee's diagnosis, I would sleep in until noon, feed the cats whenever, and watch YouTube for hours on end. Now I have a pretty strict schedule, with feedings, testing her glucose, and giving insulin. It's one of the reasons I live for every day. Take it as you will, one person's mountains are another person's grain of sand.

After understanding the reasons WHY I was so sad, and getting diagnosed with severe depression and severe anxiety, it's helped me to become a more AWARE and CAUTIOUS person. To think before I act, and to always always ALWAYS have a plan B and plan C. Things HAPPEN.

I am not the same person I was 3 years ago, or even 2 years ago. Heck I don't even think I'm the same person I was one year ago. I'm not saying that crap "New year, new me!" stuff. I'm thankful for a new year, a fresh start, but I'm also thankful for what happened the prior year.

It's made me the person I am today, and I feel I've become a more forgiving, and ultimately more realistic way of living type of person....a realist. 

I am so thankful I am not in denial anymore. Living in denial is probably one of the most scariest, unhealthy ways to think and live ever.

Do yourself a favor and look around you...live realistically, not in a made up fantasy.