I started this blog a little over 6 months ago when I was just sure that my husband and I were on our way to becoming new residents of Texas. Then a few months ago, we decided that if Texas wasn't having us in any big hurry, well, we would just open up our hearts and minds to the idea that anywhere with warmth and sun would be just fine with us. This kind of willingness to bend would surely get us to tan lines and high air conditioning bills fast, right?
Here we still are, in the rainy Northwest. We are in the midst of enduring the coldest, wettest Spring ever on record... officially. I finally got the chance to mow the yard when the rain managed to stop for about 36 hours. There are puddles in places that I never knew would puddle. My flower pots are actually flooded. My dogs look out the door when I open it and then look at me as if to say, "Are you kidding? Would you want to have to go out there to do your business?" When there is a moment of reprieve and it looks like there might be some sun, the dogs run out to lay on the deck only to return within a few minutes to lay on the floor and look depressed when the sky clouds up again. We were totally teased by a beautiful sunny 65 degree day last Saturday and then I woke up to rain on the skylights for Easter. So, yes, I am annoyed.
But then I have to feel like a real horses ass when I complain like this as I have been watching people who are truly suffering with all the tornado and storm damage all over the South. I have a home. With flower pots and a deck, no less. I'm not out searching for my dogs or even lost family members. So yeah, it is all so relative...
I know there is a plan at work. I'm just not totally clear what that plan is anymore. For our part, my husband and I are working the recruiter and ourselves hard, searching high and low for a good job that will allow us to pursue this dream of being where the sun shines most of the time and the cost of living is decent. My husband is still working hard to fulfill his requirements to become a member of the Property/Casualty Society Of Actuaries. He knows that within a year he will be at the Associate level. This should make looking for a job a bit more fruitful.
In the mean time, we are living and preparing as if we could up and move at any moment. I am still getting rid of more stuff and making decisions about stuff that I will get rid of the moment I know we really will be leaving. We are saving up cash. The house looks great for all the prep work I did last Fall. And, we are still trying to make the most of what is going on in our lives today, while we are still here. We will be running another 5k on Sunday and enjoying a get together with friends this weekend. I am also planning a small event for our neighborhood next week with my neighbor. Most of all we are both learning that appreciating what you have, even when it's not exactly what you want is sometimes the most important plan of all.
Good luck on the 5k! And as for everything else, just keep on going. The "plan" will work itself out and you'll see what it is when the time is right.
ReplyDeleteLife sometimes feels like standing in line for a ride at the amusement park. You know exactly which ride you want to go on, and the line doesn't even look that long when you first get in it, but then when you get inside, you see that it has a whole bunch of "hidden" dividers inside. And even more when you turn the next corner. What you thought would be a short wait turns into a much longer wait. Uggh. Walking or running is so much easier than just standing. Standing is exhausting. And that is what you are doing. You are standing and waiting and it is exhausting. The good news is that there is always an end to the line and then you get on the ride. If you chose wisely, that ride is awesome. So, try to amuse yourself with other things while you stand and wait so it isn't so tedious. Then enjoy the ride!!!
ReplyDeleteI think you just have to make the best of what you've got. I mean, that's what all of this boils down to for me. I think you're on the right track... ;O)
ReplyDelete@ Robin- Oh I do so love your insights. Waiting in a long line with hidden twists and turns is exactly what this is like! And I know I'm in for something good when I finally get there...
ReplyDeleteNOOOO. don't give up. Texas is the best. I promise to buy you a big ole chicken fried steak after you move here.
ReplyDelete@ Michelle- Oh, do not doubt that I too believe Texas is the best. It was the people that totally sold me when I was there again, visiting last May. Everyone had warned me that I might believe that people were trying to sell me something because of how nice everyone would be. It was so true! From the goat farmer we spent time checking out a stud goat for a friend with (he told me all about his guns and I loved it) to the guy at the Whataburger and even people just standing on the street corner in downtown San Antonio, we were so impressed and felt that we had found home. I do want to be in Texas very badly. However, if I have to bend to make it happen eventually, I will. We just want to get to some sun sooner rather than later and get out of this high cost of living area, so we are willing to make a 'stop' somewhere else on the way to eventually getting to Texas.
ReplyDelete@ Michelle again- Oh and where the heck are my manners? Thanks so much for the generous offer. I'm lookin' forward to that chicken fried steak whenever I do finally get there. Yum!
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your race!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear the clouds are so gray there. We are on the other end. We NEED the moisture and are getting very little. But like you I am glad that we have what we do.
There are so many who are struggling with major things right now and we are lucky enough to still have what we do.
Like you said, "There's still a plan". you just don't know what it is yet.
Have a good week!