I'm not sure what the problem is, but Justin and I can't make friends no matter what we try. I made a real attempt to get out into the world these past few months. I chat with strangers, I am super nice to other people's children, I even invited a bunch of strangers over for E's 5th birthday. All seemed to have a good time. They ate, they played, they giggled, they chatted with everyone else. It was a nice party. And then I find that the mother of E's new bestie unfriended and blocked me soon after the party. We have seen each other twice since then, at gymnastics class, and she was friendly and agreeable to future playdates. The girls still enjoy talking and playing together. I have no clue....
Justin has repeatedly tried to invite fellow gamers over from the mill. Months of invitations and "yes" RSVPs and yet no-shows every single time. I slave making cute snacks and brunch spreads and buying liquor for specialty mixed drinks... and we are alone every single time.
Gabe is feeling the strain too. His only friend suddenly moved one day. It's got him in such a funk that Justin and I were called to the school this week because he was sobbing and talking of "ending it all" with a pocket knife when he got home. They almost institutionalized him!
My mother-in-law is cold and distant. And when she's not, she's rude and argumentative. My mother flip flops between supportive and open to aloof and distant. My sister is a black hole of booze and self hatred that I abhore having around my children. Val is a good friend, but I fear the unresolved mental issues of her husband are going to drag her down into the dirt. I can tell when he's got something going on because she avoids me for weeks.
All in all.... I just think we need to move. Raleigh is my first choice but it's expensive and would require Justin to change careers. Second choice would be a nice forest town in Virginia or Oregon. Maybe Colorado. I don't know. We are just not the right redneck, gun-obsessed, Trump-loving, do-anything-for-Jesus flavor of person for this area.
