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Married and Moved to NW Indiana June 2009
Hello! I just moved to NW Indiana 6 months ago after my husband and I married.--lived in Eastern PA prior for most of my life. NW Indiana is his home town.
My whole life is changed! All of my friends and family are back east(12 hours away) and I haven't been able to find a career yet. Sometimes I feel isolated and lonely. I am trying to meet new people by going to church and finding a job. But, I really have no friends here and I miss my family terribly sometimes.
As well as marrying and moving, I have a 16 year old step-daughter. Since I had never been married before-this is huge. I am trying to learn how to be a step-mom. Sometimes I think that it really isn't coming naturally to me.
My question is--How do I meet friends? Where are good places to work around here? Any step-mom advice?
Thanks for listening! 
Re: Married and Moved to NW Indiana June 2009
Hello! Welcome to IN. DH and I lived in NW Indiana for the three years he was in law school and loved it! There are so many fun things to do! As far as getting to know people, I think attending church and finding some work are both great things to do.
I also really suggest volunteering--whatever interets you, kids, animals, the elderly. you are likely to find some people with common interests, and help out others at the same time! If you want suggestions of organzations I am full of them--I would volunteer for a living if I could!
As far as the step-daughter part, I am not a parent, nore have been a stepparent, so I don't have much advise on this one! I guess I would just try to support both your husband and his ex-wife in their decisions, while offering your own input on issues. Maybe you two can find something that can be "your thing" like cooking, gardening, exercise? good luck, and welcome again!
If you want any suggestions of restaurants/things to do in NW IN, I have lots of those too. Again, welcome!
5/24/12 - Missed m/c discovered10w4d.
I live in Elkhart and went to college in Valpo. Have you tried joining a bible study group or doing activities with the church you go to? It can be hard to meet people just going on Sundays...if you get involved you can get to know people better. Also I second the idea about volunteering..you can meet people with similar interests and do something good too!
As to being a step mom the only advice I can offer is try to be understanding...my DH's parents are both remarried and he had a rough time adjusting to have a stepmom and stepdad. I know he gave his step-mom a hard time when he was growing up but she was always loving and never treated him like a step-son...she and her family embraced him like a true part of her family. I know it was hard on her sometimes that he was difficult but now that he's an adult we have a great relationship with her and our daughter is truly her granddaughter. His step-dad was not so nice and we now rarely see him and my mil. .