There is much unrest at Camp Labor, these days. And most of it doesn't even have to do with makin' babies. Also doesn't make for creative blog entries. And I had such high hopes for my old creative writing style when I started this blog. (sigh) Oh well, it seems like everyone else is having a slow posting season., too.
At this moment, D is in a meeting telling his project manager, that he wants to take his name out of the hat for the move to Europe. He finally received the formal offer (after waiting 11 months!) and not only is it break-even from a salary point of view, but the job description isn't what at all what he was originally told. He doesn't think he will be happy in this position, nor will it help him advance in his career. With the cost of living adjustment we would be living like college students again. And I don't have to tell you, doing a GC IVF cycle or adopting would be that much harder from another continent. So I guess I need to change the subheading of my blog...
The house selling is on hold, of course, while we wait for more news on D's job. I'm getting pissed, because even though his company will do a relocation buy-out if the house doesn't sell in a certain period of time, they want you to try and sell it first. All well and good, especially since buy-outs are notoriously lower than selling outright, if they would give us the go-ahead, but we're still waiting. Meanwhile peak house selling season is winding down before the school year starts. If I had my way, we would have put the house on the market back in April while I was just twiddling my thumbs waiting for the IVF cycle to begin. And damn-it we need the money so we can start the next IVF cycle!
And I threw my back out again. This chronic pain has really been getting to me. I'll probably need disk surgery since nothing else seems to be helping.
On a bright note, it is wild blackberry season here, and I've been doing some picking. Look:

They grow all around my subdivision! If I can stand the chigger bites, I may go out again for enough to make a few cobblers/crisps. Right now, I have enough frozen, to put up about 16 jars of preserves or about 8 jars of seedless jelly. My neighbor came by yesterday with a big basket of squash, zucchini and tomatoes. I am definitely going to miss these treats when I move back.
Thanks to Ellen at The Reign of Ellen I have a name for what I think is wrong with me: dysthymia, a type of depression. I have only had my mother's depression as a reference in the past. She was a mess when I was growing up: suicidal, hospitalized, valium addict, phychotherapy, the whole nine yards. Whenever I thought I was depressed, I shooed away the notion, because I wasn't at all like my mother. I didn't curl up in a ball barely able to function for days on end. I still got things done at least and had moments of happiness. Then I read Ellen's primer (read it!). Dysthymia, that described ME!
"Dysthymia is less severe than a major depression; people can generally continue along with their lives and stay on top of things. For this reason, some sufferers do not realize they have dysthymia for quite awhile. A common complaint is that they are 'just going through the motions.' Life seems gray and lifeless. Having fun seems impossible. Getting through the day with all its complications is usually all the sufferer can handle."
Yep, that's me. Actually, I might even have major depression since I have at least five of the symptoms. Now what to do about it. I am so used to doctors telling me they don't think its a good idea to be on antidepressants while I am trying to conceive, but guess what? Not my eggs or uterus anymore! So, I ask you...I've gotten along this far without them, should I just keep muddling through? Will everything suddenly seem rosy once I have a child? My gut feeling is that no, things won't. If I do want to try them, where do I start? Who do I see? I'd be lying if I said trying several, to find the right one, wasn't daunting. Also, my sex life sucks enough after trying to conceive for five and a half years, how much more is it going to suck if I'm on antidepressants? I guess I'm going to do something, because I'm tired of being under constant stress and feeling like I have a suffocating wet blanket hanging over my head all day. I guess I am my mother's child after all. Don't tell her though!
Here are some things that make me happy. The view from my deck. It also bums me out, since I will probably never have such natural beauty right outside my window, ever again.

And my dogs.
D has been gone a week and might be home tonight, if he gets a chance to talk to his HR rep. That would also make me happy.
p.s. Does anyone else have Explorer crash everytime they try to look at Tagebuch? See link at left, because apparently, I can't even add a new link to it anymore without upsetting Explorer. I haven't been able to check on Nathaniel's update for over a week. Hoping he is well and on his way home soon.