Update on the Texas move!
by Leigh Range on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 1:13pm
I've gotten bunches of questions and notes from many of you asking what the hell I'm doing regarding the move to San Antonio, so I thought I'd write the answers in a note here to make it easier for all.
What the hell am I doing?
Apparently not exactly what I THOUGHT I was doing, but still basic plan in place. I've spent the last 10 days down in TX looking for a house, trying to make plans, etc. As I went about San Antonio looking for housing, schools and all, it just kept feeling more and more like this wasn't the right thing afterall. Moving back to Texas was definitely the right thing, but San Antonio was not feeling the right place to be within Texas. After a few days, I had a little breakdown and knew for sure that it wasn't where we were supposed to be. But now what? I've quit my job, sold my house, and have to go somewhere!AND have two kids in tow who can't know how incredibly confused I am or they will start to worry. Crap! Time to rethink this venture.
Many of you asked why San Antonio in the first place, and while my sister and dad were much of the reason, I also just figured I'd try some place new. That question was usually followed by the why not back up north to the D/FW area, and the best answer I could ever give to that one was because I'd already done that twice. However, in my frustration with the search in SA, all I wanted to do was head up north where I felt at home, and be with my friends. BELLS GOING OFF HERE! LIGHT BULB GOING ON! Duh! Maybe that's where I should be looking in the first place? Time for a gut check, so the next day I hop in the car and head up to Denton/DFW for the weekend, just to see. As I got closer, I felt more and more at home. I was also able to get in touch with some old friends at the former school district I worked for last, and even had a really productive day meeting people and talking on Monday. Everything seemed so much more "right." Housing --- well there's tons of it. School districts --- several good ones to choose from. Job opportunities --- more. Seems like a no brainer doesn't it? The other requirements of friends and family are more than met as well. And finally, I discovered I'm really not any farther away from family in Huntsville, Houston, and College Station than I was in SA. That was the last puzzle piece.
So, as I am almost always a "glass half full" kind of person, I've decided to look at this as a "third time's the charm situation." I think I just fought it for a few reasons that really don't hold up, and I have had many happy times up there both times I've lived there before. It all feels right, and that goes a long way.
While I was gone over the 10 days, all hell was breaking loose back in Ohio. Ethan and his father had a rather bad fight which led to Ethan (at 13) staying at the house by himself for most of the time I was gone. Fortunately, the house is still standing, and basically he did very well and was very responsible, but that whole common sense thing is still a bit of a missing link in the 13 year old brain. The other tragedy was that one of our cats died, and it was hard for me and the boys not to be together. We will miss our Gulu Gulu very much :( !!! It was a big surprise.
Now, over the next four weeks, I've got to finish up my job, pack up, sell up what I'm not packing up, make all the PODS arrangements, ship the kids off, and then on July 1st, Gertie (the remaining cat) and I will head down to the Denton area. For those of you who haven't been there for many years, it's not at all how you remember it, and yet it is. It is probably 3 times the size it was back in the old days, and the whole area has grown up so unbelievably that you just simply have to see it to believe it. Not really the small college town it used to be, but still maintains those characteristics as well.
I'll let you know when I have a final "planting" location after I get down there in July. All I can say is that life is weird, and sometimes those winds of change blow you in a direction you weren't expecting. The great bit of wisdom I've learned through many difficult and trying times over the last several year is, what happens as the unexpected is usually what the best answer is in the end. Sometimes you have to learn how to shut and listen, and pay attention to the signs in front of you. My stubborn nature has some difficulty in that area, but I'm getting better. The basic plan is still in place, just a new locale.
That's what's up with the move. If any of you out there are sitting around with absolutely nothing to do and think it would be fun to pack boxes, have a yard sale, and drive 1,200 miles with me and a cat, let me know! LOL
I love each and every one of you and can't tell you how much I've needed and appreciated all of your support. You guys do a great job of encouraging me and telling me I can do it. Thanks!
What the hell am I doing?
Apparently not exactly what I THOUGHT I was doing, but still basic plan in place. I've spent the last 10 days down in TX looking for a house, trying to make plans, etc. As I went about San Antonio looking for housing, schools and all, it just kept feeling more and more like this wasn't the right thing afterall. Moving back to Texas was definitely the right thing, but San Antonio was not feeling the right place to be within Texas. After a few days, I had a little breakdown and knew for sure that it wasn't where we were supposed to be. But now what? I've quit my job, sold my house, and have to go somewhere!AND have two kids in tow who can't know how incredibly confused I am or they will start to worry. Crap! Time to rethink this venture.
Many of you asked why San Antonio in the first place, and while my sister and dad were much of the reason, I also just figured I'd try some place new. That question was usually followed by the why not back up north to the D/FW area, and the best answer I could ever give to that one was because I'd already done that twice. However, in my frustration with the search in SA, all I wanted to do was head up north where I felt at home, and be with my friends. BELLS GOING OFF HERE! LIGHT BULB GOING ON! Duh! Maybe that's where I should be looking in the first place? Time for a gut check, so the next day I hop in the car and head up to Denton/DFW for the weekend, just to see. As I got closer, I felt more and more at home. I was also able to get in touch with some old friends at the former school district I worked for last, and even had a really productive day meeting people and talking on Monday. Everything seemed so much more "right." Housing --- well there's tons of it. School districts --- several good ones to choose from. Job opportunities --- more. Seems like a no brainer doesn't it? The other requirements of friends and family are more than met as well. And finally, I discovered I'm really not any farther away from family in Huntsville, Houston, and College Station than I was in SA. That was the last puzzle piece.
So, as I am almost always a "glass half full" kind of person, I've decided to look at this as a "third time's the charm situation." I think I just fought it for a few reasons that really don't hold up, and I have had many happy times up there both times I've lived there before. It all feels right, and that goes a long way.
While I was gone over the 10 days, all hell was breaking loose back in Ohio. Ethan and his father had a rather bad fight which led to Ethan (at 13) staying at the house by himself for most of the time I was gone. Fortunately, the house is still standing, and basically he did very well and was very responsible, but that whole common sense thing is still a bit of a missing link in the 13 year old brain. The other tragedy was that one of our cats died, and it was hard for me and the boys not to be together. We will miss our Gulu Gulu very much :( !!! It was a big surprise.
Now, over the next four weeks, I've got to finish up my job, pack up, sell up what I'm not packing up, make all the PODS arrangements, ship the kids off, and then on July 1st, Gertie (the remaining cat) and I will head down to the Denton area. For those of you who haven't been there for many years, it's not at all how you remember it, and yet it is. It is probably 3 times the size it was back in the old days, and the whole area has grown up so unbelievably that you just simply have to see it to believe it. Not really the small college town it used to be, but still maintains those characteristics as well.
I'll let you know when I have a final "planting" location after I get down there in July. All I can say is that life is weird, and sometimes those winds of change blow you in a direction you weren't expecting. The great bit of wisdom I've learned through many difficult and trying times over the last several year is, what happens as the unexpected is usually what the best answer is in the end. Sometimes you have to learn how to shut and listen, and pay attention to the signs in front of you. My stubborn nature has some difficulty in that area, but I'm getting better. The basic plan is still in place, just a new locale.
That's what's up with the move. If any of you out there are sitting around with absolutely nothing to do and think it would be fun to pack boxes, have a yard sale, and drive 1,200 miles with me and a cat, let me know! LOL
I love each and every one of you and can't tell you how much I've needed and appreciated all of your support. You guys do a great job of encouraging me and telling me I can do it. Thanks!
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