Thursday, January 29, 2009

Making plans

(warning - long rambling post ahead!)

You know what happens when you start making plans don't you? They never work out exactly like you think. So goes my plan to be better about blogging once I wasn't working anymore. Of course with the holidays and such, I still haven't made it to the point where I post even every other day - much less daily (which is what I want).

I hate to make a post without a picture. I had no idea what picture to post with this, so I'm posting this one of the hubby.

In a round-about way, this post is really about him. I'm not going to tell you he is perfect - there are times when (as my grandmother would say) I would like to 'pinch his head off' but I love him anyway. (of course we all know I am perfect and he never feels that way about me) He has always been willing to work as hard as he has to to provide for his family. When the kids were little he always worked at least two jobs (sometimes three) so that I didn't have to work and could stay home to raise the boys. That is time you can not buy back for any amount of money.
Sometimes life takes you in directions you never thought you would go. I (we) thought he would be a firefighter/paramedic until he retired and we would stay right here in the same town where he was born and where I have lived for over 30 years. 5 years ago, he was given an opportunity that allowed him to retire from the fire service (after 21 years) and work full time in EMS. You may remember back in the fall when he promoted to an office job. No more uniforms, no more shift work (I would say an 8-5 job, but that would just be funny). He has really enjoyed this position but we really had no idea that it would only be temporary - well, this temporary - we knew eventually there would be something else but not this quickly. He has received another promotion. It is a good promotion and one he is very excited about. (and no matter what this may sound like before I finish - I'm excited for him) We have known for about a week and it was made official on Tuesday.
Here is the but. . .there is always a but. . . we have to move. Yes, we have to sell the house we have spent 23 years getting 'just right'. We have done all the major stuff and it is almost exactly like I want it. (I do love my front porch!) If you have been visiting here long, you have seen pictures of some of the work we have done, but the majority of the real work was done before I started blogging and before I had a digital camera. Trust me, when I say a lot of work, I mean a lot of blood, sweat and tears. At this moment I can't tell you where we are moving to - basically because I don't know! The new job is in Pasadena (Texas) so all I know at the moment is that we will be living somewhere in the Houston area. We will be spending a few months in an apartment while trying to sell this house and trying to figure out where we want to live. The next couple of weeks we (mostly me - 'we' only on weekends) will be speny getting the house as ready as we can to put on the market and I'm sure that even after that we will be spending weekends here for awhile. Thankfully, we don't have to leave the house empty while it is on the market as the boys will stay here to take care of it until it sells. (and take care of the dog so we don't have to keep her in an apartment) This helps a great deal - considering my current stress level, I'm not sure I could take anymore!
I know moving is nothing to some people, but we haven't moved in 23 years and that was just across town! There is so much to do and I have a really hard time breaking it down into manageable pieces - I tend to see the big picture and get overwhelmed. We are also in the process of clearing out MIL's house as she has sold it. (she is living with hubby's sister - several hours away) Hopefully we will be finished there after next weekend so we can start concentrating on things that must be done here.
If all that isn't enough - yesterday, while I was out doing a few of the long (and getting longer) list of errands that must be done, my van blew up. (see - I was planning to make this post yesterday - no more planning!) I need a new transmission. Now we have to decide if we want to invest in that or give her up. I honestly don't think I have enough brain power left at the moment for car shopping. We are waiting on estimates before we decide.
So - there goes my plan for being a better blogger in 2009. Since I will be living between here and Houston for the next, well, I don't know how long - and I don't even know where my computer will be, it will be impossible for me to post daily. I am still hoping to get at least a couple of posts a week - and who knows, I might get two days in a row and surprise even myself. I'm still trying to read blogs but my commenting will be minimal for a bit. Bear with me - don't abandon me if I miss long stretches without posts or responding to comments!
Hey - I warned you way back at the beginning this was going to be long and rambling!
I think I hear empty boxes calling my name.

16 comments:

Nola said...

Congrats on the new position for hubby! This means all of us north and east Texas bloggers HAVE TO all get together soon, before you head south!
I know you are overwhelmed, but it will all work out. I firmly believe things happen for a reason; that's what I tell myself to keep from letting unforseen things make me crazy! Just think, it will be warmer down there, and you winters will be milder, with little chance of snow and ice!

Brenda Pruitt said...

Yep, change is hard. But there are always going to be "chapters" in our lives. Or it wouldn't become a book! I'm sorry you have worked so hard on a house you hate to leave. I've felt the same way more than a few times in my life. But embrace the new. Or try to. We'll be here for ya!
Brenda

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I know this is a huge surprise. It is almost as if cleaning the attic, and all your other efforts..were geared to selling your home in a coincidental way. The first thing that popped into my mind was "living closer to the Houston quilt show!". There will be lots of adventures for you to write about and a new home to show us. Oh my! Terry in Arlington

Lorilee said...

Wow, moving after 23 years. It took us 4 days to move after being in our previous house for 8 years. (We moved ourselves--no van etc) We will have to have a South Texas bloggers gathering!! I'm just about 2 hours from Houston!
Blessings,
Lorilee

Karol said...

Congrats for your hubby's new position. Hoping all goes smoothly

Anonymous said...

I know, moving is hell, but from the comments I gather you have stitchers waving you off and stitchers welcoming you to your new place (wherever it will be), that can't be bad... ;o)... And us faraway bloggers will be right here, so just take it one day at a time...

Michelle said...

Change can be scary..but also exciting. I will keep you in my thoughts that everything goes well ~ hang in there!

Michelle

Michele said...

First, big congratulations to your DH. It's wonderful to get a promotion to a job he really wants!

I would be like you about moving .. we've been in our house 24 years .. it would definately be a daunting task. But I'm sure once the shock has warn off a bit, you'll break it down into manageable pieces and do great. Just don't forget where you put your stitching :)

Linda said...

Congratulations on hubbies new job...it sounds very exciting but moving after all these years does seem a little scary too. Just take each day as it comes and all will be well....hugs, Linda

Anonymous said...

Wow! Congrats to your DH. How exciting and scarry for the move. But, hey you will be about an 1hr. away from where I live. I'm with Lorilee we will need to have a South Texas Blogger get together.

Anonymous said...

I'm right there with you, both on the stress level, the blown up car, and the moving. It seems overwhelming now, but take it on faith: the problems will eventually sort themselves out and the world will fall back into place. In the meantime, we're here for you and wish you well!

Melody said...

congrats on hubby's new job. I hear you when you are worried about clearing out 23 years of stuff to move. We've been in our house 23 years also, it would be a big job also.

Don't stress. take it one step at a time.

Remember, your stitching friends are thinking of you!

Melody

Sonda said...

Wow, that is a big change! Congrats to hubby for his (I'm sure) well-deserved promotion. I'll be thinking happy thoughts for you as you embark on this bittersweet move. Keep us posted!

Susie Q said...

Congratulations to your hubby. When you get to Pasadena, you need to get involved in the Strawberry Festival...lots of fun and my sister and her hubby are VERY involved and lots of fun. I already have my t shirst for this year..so I am advertising for it in CO..actually had someone ask me one day if it was Pasadena, CA...I just looked at her and said, of course NOT ;D

Anonymous said...

Huh..... moving..... oh my gosh..... that has to a a huge change for you..... 23 years..... I have never lived in one place that long.... oh my
At least you will be still be in Texas....
Hang in there..... I think the new place will adore your bottle tree..... yikes that is a lot of packing...
HUgs
Linda

Kathy said...

OMG, that is quite the news. I know you are pleased with the new job, but having to move is hard work. I have lived where we live now for over 18 years and I dread the thought of ever having to move. We will take your posts when we can get them.

Good luck with everything. Don't forget to take a few fleeting moments out to stitch so that you are not too stressed.