So...am I still a newcomer?

[any chance?]

Maybe this is the start of my dropping the rope. One one hand, I think I have not given this enough time to see where it is going. On the other hand, it seems like a hopeless situation; one where I should just cut our losses.

Exactly. What to do? However, I find myself doing the 'what-if' mind bender. If we cut our losses, and are wrong, we have lost a tremendous portion of our lives. Giving it time seems to be the wisest option. When time is up, we should know it, no?