Ugh... winter depression is back again.

[doug1980]

Last year about this time was a very low moment for my wife and I. We assumed that it was just because it was our first AK winter, plus being newlyweds we argued quite a bit. Going into this winter we decided to not let that happen again. We felt confident that we would be happier this year because of the anticipation of a new baby and everything. Well, it still happened. My wife had a few complications and is now on bed rest for at least a month. So us being able to get out of the house is not an option now. She is miserable and hates sitting around the house all day. I have found myself not wanting to go to work because I want to stay with her and take care of things around the house. My job has become boring and doesn't stimulate my mind at all. So both of us have nothing but time to think, and it's been my experience that that can be devestating. We finally have a plan on what we are going to next year, which is a relief because now we don't feel helpless and unsure what our future holds. But at the same time we are impatient and want our plan to happen now, because there are plenty of unknowns with that. The only joy we seem to have is planning for our baby boy's (Travis) arrival, but even that my wife is so ready for the pregnancy to be done. On top of all that is the mounting damage to our home that we will be moving back to that will all have to be repaired once we get there. I know it could always be worse and I'm sure others have it much worse than we do, but it sucks. We have done outstanding this year, finacially, but have realized that money is NOT the most important thing in life. Happiness is what we want and we believe that will be in Indiana so we are anxious to get there. This year and a half will be the longest time in our lives.

[Winnie]

Oh lord, you have got it bad. I really feel for you, especially mrs Doug. Can't be easy stuck in the house all day, especially if you're not too well. Just keep that little boy in mind and think of the joy when he finally arrives.

[Rick]

Doug - Talk to your doc about Seasonal Affective Disorder. It's a real malady brought about by winter's reduction in sunlight. AK is even worse because of the prolonged night. He/She may prescribe a light box to help offset the loss of sunlight.

WIKI has a pretty good write up on it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasona...ctive_disorder

She has a lot of hormonal changes, too, with the pregnancy so a lot of what she's feeling right now is probably pretty strange to her and difficult for you to know how to deal with it since it's so out of the ordinary.

In any case, both of you need to lay out to your doctor what you just said. Better yet, print it and take it with you. They deal with this all the time. Winter can be the pits especially if you have to stay indoors and they have a LOT of patients that face the very same thing you just expressed.

[cowgirlup]

What Rick said!

Plus it's hard to want something so badly and know you have to wait.
It's hard but try to make the best of it. A year and a half is not that long in the whole scheme of things.

Start a note book of the things you want to do, places to go.
If you can, make the trip back an adventure and plan it out now.
Get pictures from magazines or wherever and plan out your house.
Start a diary of all the thoughts you had about Travis before he arrived.
It would make a great story for him when he gets older.

You two are a team. Try to think of one fun thing each week to do together even if it's a game or a special dinner.

You will get through it!!!

[Rick]

Cowgirl - you sure are smart.

Doug - Writing out a plan is an excellent idea. It puts you in control of events instead of events being in control of you. Plus, as cowgirl said, you'll be that much further ahead in the process. But make certain you put pen to paper. Talking about it isn't the same. When you commit it to paper it becomes more concrete and real.

[Camp10]

Getting through the winter is tough on lots of people, you guys certainly are not alone. It is good to talk about this with each other and others. There are groups around here...nothing really organized but they get together once a week through the winter and have some kind of outing. It seems to work for my friend and his wife. Just my 2 cents.

[klkak]

Doug I am with you. S.A.D hits me really hard every winter. So much so that I have to take medication for it. The only time I'm not suffering is when I'm out on the trail with a herd of clients strung out behind me.

Go See a Doctor!!!

[Sourdough]

Go See a Doctor!!!

Or kill something, like a 1/5 or some wabbits, or spruce hens......(Note: Not in that order)

[klkak]

Or kill something, like a 1/5 or some wabbits, or spruce hens......(Note: Not in that order)

Oh, I don't know. It could make things a little more challenging to do it in the order you listed. Even exciting if there are several folks involved.


ummm. Forget I said that.

[Rick]

I kill a 1/5 I'd probably see wabbits and hens hunting me.

[Rick]

Kevin - I don't know how you folks do it. The long day would be pretty cool but the long night would drive me batty. I don't think I could take a winter up there.

[crashdive123]

Killing things has always brightened up my day.

[doug1980]

I miss Indiana winters and summers. I know that for sure. Is it June 2011 yet? I miss the most random stuff like the smell of the corn and soybean fields. I even miss the smell of hog farms and turkey farms. Crazy....

[klkak]

Drinking copious amounts of alcohol keeps the blood thinned out and make it easier to take the cold.

[Rick]

And when you get back here, you're going to miss AK. I can honestly tell you I've never been any place in my life so majestic and so beautiful as Alaska. Soak it up and take it in because it's a place of wonder and we're heading back some day.

[Camp10]

I miss Indiana winters and summers. I know that for sure. Is it June 2011 yet? I miss the most random stuff like the smell of the corn and soybean fields. I even miss the smell of hog farms and turkey farms. Crazy....

Probably I should know this already but are you from IN? I was born in Goshen.

[klkak]

Rick you need to set a date because "someday" never comes.

[klkak]

Probably I should know this already but are you from IN? I was born in Goshen.

In or from a Goshen?

[Camp10]

In or from a Goshen?

Ok, I was born in Elkhart, In...thats where the hospital is.

[klkak]

This really sucks. I just went in to get another glass of Captain Morgans Private Stock. It's almost gone. After that its Meyers.......Yyyyuuuuuk! (thats an Eskimo word for "not taste good")

How am I gonna keep my blood thinned out?