Just trying to settle into "normal" life....

With the girls first day of school at Moorchydore State School going smoothly, after we made sure they were settled in it was time to go and hook the van up and move to the new park, Maroochydore Beach Holiday Park.  It was a nice clean park, no dirt and great slab sites.  It was close to the school, shops, beach and more importantly my work. Yes, after a terryifying time trying to prepare for my first interview in a long while, l was offered a casual position at the Sunshine Coast Private Hospital in Buderim.  I was a little hesitant in working in the private sector, as l had always worked in the public, but we needed the cash and there was no getting into Nambour Hospital anytime soon.

Anyway, back to the park.  We decided to move into the coast to enjoy the beach life, we were travelling back all the time from Forest Glen so it seemed that this was where life was meant to be for us, plus it was close to my work and central for anything Marty might get.  The Maroochydore Beach Holiday Park is actually more Mooloolabah/Alexandra Headlands area than Maroochydoore.  The park is situated on the beach and amongst the town, close to shopping centers and has fantastic lifestyle opportunities with great running paths.  The downside was that the park seemed to be pretty focused and full with grey nomads, apart from the Hambrooks and Billie and Dale, we were the only other family.  There was no pool or playground, so entertaining the girls will be a little harder l think.  All in all, we were pretty happy with the location and the park was a huge step up from Forest Glen in terms of cleanliness and updated amenities.

My first day on the job crept up on my quick and l was pretty nervous to be going back into the acute sector, seeing l had worked in Corrections for my last job in Geraldton.  Oh how long ago that was, forgot how blessed we were in having all that time off in between our work stops.  I had finished up work in April 2014, nearly 10 months ago!!! I was also a bit nervy as never worked in the Private health sector before, l knew this would have its own challenges.  Still, l set off, eager and nervous, and when the shift was done, l wondered why l had worked myself up.  It was like riding a bike, everything came back to me as if it was only yesterday l had worked on a ward.  Everyone was really friendly and l got great feedback, so hopefully this all works out. Great to be in a workplace where your clients appreciate you and don't curse you to your face, unlike in corrections where the inmates

expressed their dislike in their unique way!

Bit scary starting a new job again!

The month of February flew quickly and nothing too exciting happened.  I worked as much as l could, found l was getting cancelled or short shifted a lot more than expected.  I was finding the work a little mundane, nothing too exciting seeing anyone too unwell was transferred out to the public hospital and there was no Intensive Care Units or Emergency Departments here, so everyone was pretty medically stable.  Not too challenging at all, a little disappointing really..... Marty was getting very frustrated as after two months of looking for work he had nothing, not a word of feedback for any of the jobs he was applying for.  This in turn, put pressure on our relationship, which led to some pretty unhappy times at the caravan.  The girls unfortunately were seeing a bit of this, which Marty and l both hated, but in a caravan it is pretty hard to find space to blow off steam without everyone seeing it.  We had to keep persevering though as money was tight, we had little savings left and not much choice, we had to make this work stop happen!

Thee girls were enjoying school, making good friends and flourishing really.  Boo had got an award for great behavior and work which made us very proud of her achievements in fitting into the school.  She had also found a love for trumpet, so we enrolled her in lessons within the school.  She seemed to have a great gift for music, both playing and reading it.  Later on in the month Meg also got an award for her great behavior, another reassurance that they were settling into the school well.

Award time already....

...such great girls!

We also decided to enrol the girls in tennis lessons once a week seeing they hadn't had this opportunity while traveling to be involved in sports much.  They did do soccer in Geraldton which they loved, so hopefully they enjoy this just as much.  

Meg showing me her skills...

We spent a few times down on the beach, not as much as l had thought.  I suppose work, homework, school, after school commitments and life get in the road sometimes.  Plus the weather was a little gloomy still with a few days of rain over the month.  Still, it was nice to be so close that we could walk to the back of the park and be on the beach within minutes.  I also loved the footpaths around the area and started getting back into my running and cycling again.  My one nemesis was Alexandra Headlad though, it had a huge gradual hill to climb, but it was getting easier everytime l tackled it.  At the start it felt like l was in a standstill just running on the spot, but now at least it feels like l'm moving a bit quicker up it!!! Lol....

Maroochydore beach....view from the back of the caravan park!

Maroochydore Lifesaving Club...

Kite surfing is big at this beach....

Kite surfers getting some air!

Time for some beach lazing....

Boo and Meg....loving life at the moment!

It had been so long in between work stops that l think we had all forgotten how hectic and stressful this "normal" life can be.  Besides struggling with Marty not finding work and swapping roles, l was finding it difficult in accepting this reality.  I just wanted to be back on the road again and the longer Marty was out of work, the more it took its toll as l couldn't see a way out of this life.  It felt like we were stuck with no options.  We also thought we would be catching up with family and mates more than we were.  Everyone was just so busy.  It definitely was not what l expected, but l had to overcome this and try and enjoy the present rather than focus of the stress of the future.  The times we did catch up with our friends and family were fantastic, and the girls really loved hanging out with their cousin Ella and seeing their Uncle Boof and Aunty Ninnie!!

Yet another tooth lost....now she fits the title
"Toothless Terror" well!

After school catch up with Ella, Soul and Mog...

Ella and Soul over for dinner....

Some free fun at Bunnings with the girls...

Girls loved their job of washing the new car, bit easier than the
Patrol!

Meg and Soul loving giving the dolls a bath!

Yet another rainy day on the Sunshine Coast!

Downpour made an instant river in the park!

Our site with new water frontage!

On a dry day, girls made their own cubby!

Marty put up a bird feeder which proved to be liked!

Meg's note to tell us she'd gone to the toilet!  Love it...

Hopefully the month of March goes a little better than February and Marty finds work.  It will not only make him feel better about himself but it will also take the pressure off me a bit with having to work and not as many hours available for me as l was lead to believe at the interview.....fingers crossed!

Bell Xxx