Hey everyone! Long time no see...I think an explanation is due. This semester has been particularly difficult for me. My classes aren't necessarily difficult (in fact, I really enjoy them), but my depression and anxiety is back with a vengeance, and that makes everything more challenging. I've decided I need a break from school, so next semester I'll be returning to my old job (while still taking a couple of easy, enjoyable classes online just to keep me in the academic spirit). I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do after that... The plan was to save up as much as possible and move to Washington after a year, but it appears that I won't qualify for in-state tuition for a few years. I still want to move to Washington, but I've got to decide if it's worth it to put school on pause (possibly indefinitely)...that's been the cause of a lot of stress for me. I'm trying not to worry about it too much. I think I just need to wait to see where I'm at in a year, then decide. Another pretty big life change...this spring I met someone pretty great, but the timing wasn't ideal (I was in the middle of finals and about to travel all summer). I was upfront about this, and he was willing to just get to know each other over the phone until I got back this fall, at which point we started dating. He's been really understanding of my busy schedule and mental health issues, and well, he's just really great :blush: Last month one of his friends (who was getting deployed) got a DUI, so he (my guy) got sent in his place. Thankfully, we're still able to keep in touch (the only real obstacle is the time difference), and we're trying to arrange for me to visit at some point (he can request a few days of leave, but it's a lot of money for a short amount of time). Even if that doesn't work out, things are still going great between us. He gets a kick out of my Sims addiction--he's always asking how our Sims are doing, and just the other day he was sending me pics of what he wanted our house to look like :lol: Anyway, that's mainly why I haven't been playing my Rebuild OS save as much--though I have played some since I last updated! Micah is now a teenager, and Maddox is about to age up into a teen as well. I actually have a few pics to post, but I'm not sure when I'll get time to do that. Hopefully I'll have lots of time to play and post over winter break. Oh, and my birthday is in a couple of weeks! The big 2-0. Some friends are throwing me a little party--it'll be the first time I've really celebrated since I was like, I don't know, 10? :lol: So I'm overdue for a birthday party. I guess that's all...I just wanted to check in and let you all know I haven't totally disappeared! Just taking a little break to focus on real life :smile: I miss you all! Hope everyone is well :heart:
