Moving On...

There are good things and bad things about so much time away from one's blog. The good includes...well, time away from one's blog. The bad things, though, compound like monthly credit card interest until it becomes difficult to just dive back in and pick up where you left off.

So instead of picking up where I left off, I'm just going to dive right in and start from here. Mostly because as much as I love, love, love me some Woodstock and Snoopy, I'm getting a might sick of looking at them every time I pull this here page up on the internet.

If nothing else, this post will solve that problem.

_______________________

As I mentioned in passing the other day, our little family is about to undergo yet another metamorphosis of sorts. We are - at least two of us - returning to our roots. We're packing up the life we've made for ourselves here in Raleigh and hitting the relo trail, bound for West by God Virginia.

It's exciting, in the way most change is. There's the rush of adrenaline that builds in anticipation of a big adventure. There's the endless list of things that must be done to facilitate such a dramatic life alteration. There's the mind full of open ended possibilities and maybes, ideas and opportunities. There's the (eventual) perpetually clean house, in search of a new owner. There's the hunt for a new place to call home.

Progress is being made on many fronts, although sometimes it all seems to happen at a snail's pace. Timing is everything. My husband starts his new position on January 5th, and his new employer is graciously picking up the tab for six months of living expenses for him during the transition. This buys us some time to get our house on the market and for me to conduct a cursory search for a job while maintaining my current position (with its lovely paycheck) as long as possible.

It also buys us a bit of motivation to kick things into high gear, because neither one of us is looking forward to being separated for huge stretches of time. Last time we did this, my daughter was a senior in high school. My husband lived in an apartment in Raleigh for almost nine months while the kids and I maintained our lives in Richmond, pending her graduation. It was tough, but do-able, because the two cities are only a two and a half hour jaunt apart. This time, Charleston is a good five hours away and every weekend visits are highly unlikely.

All will work out as it should, in due course, but I must confess to a bit of simmering aggravation at feeling somewhat powerless to force time's hand into meeting me at least part of the way toward settling everything sooner than later. Now that the decision has been made, the T's crossed and the i's dotted, I'm ready to just do it already. To just make it happen...BOOM.

But I suppose that would be the boring route to take, wouldn't it. Who needs neat little ducks all lined up in a row when you can live the chaos that is real life?

Deep breaths.

There is one thing - one dangling carrot - keeping me sane. At least when it isn't keeping me on pins and needles, hoping against hope.

Would you like to see my dream house?

The log cabin that sits atop a mountain, less than ten minutes from the center of downtown, with the expanse of the Kanawha State Forest as its backyard and the exactly perfect price tag?








The one with the cathedral ceilings, impeccable craftsmanship, flat front yard, four bedrooms, and stone fireplace/wet bar in the basement family room?






The one with the kitchen I would have designed myself if somebody had just taken the time to sketch out the visions in my head?





So, yeah. There's that. Unless, of course, it's too good to be true.

You know as well as I do: some dreams are just genetically hard wired to be contrary.

Comments

[Jennifer]

Ha! Yeah...riiiight...I'll get right on that. :-)

[Angela]

Any chance you'll email the contact info on the cabin so we can put in a counter offer? =P

[RisibleGirl]

By posting those pictures (gorgeous, by the way), you're well on your way of making it happen.

Less than 3 years ago, I did the same thing- didn't think I could have it, but posted about it anyway.

And here I sit in my family room of my dream house.

[wordnerd]

Step back, nonbelievers: http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/real-estate/20040831a1.asp

[Paul is a Hermit]

I helped build my ex-son-in-law's deep in the forests of York County from scratch, meaning kit, it's beautiful and I'm still proud of it - if only I could see it. ;) Things happen.

I thought, when I saw that stainless steel refrigerator in the picture, that you had already moved in. :)
I don't know, Tony Soprano got the house they wanted, make then an offer they can't refuse.

[Jennifer]

If we don't get that house, building one like it is one of our option B's. ;-)

[Paul is a Hermit]

That wordnerd is a card. Bury the poor saint, upside down yet. Poor guy, I mean, we all want so much to be remembered for something, but..., that?

Anyway, I have absolute confidence in you two. Also, why you can't buy a piece of forested land and build your own log house is beyond me. You getting lazy?

[terrilynn]

The house is fabulous, and I know WV is where your true heart calls home. But I'm so sad you're leaving NC.

[Deborah]

WoW. That house is...WoW.

[Kimberly]

The house is a jaw dropper! And you'll be (kind of) close to me. Maybe we can meet in the middle :)

Good luck on your move!

[wordnerd]

Oh, my, that house is GORGEOUS! You know, if you bury a statue of St. Joseph - upside down - in your front yard your house will sell more quickly.

Can't hurt!

[Jennifer]

Yes! It's there! It's a non-traditional listing, meaning not with a realtor. And it's a non-traditional home, meaning a good bit of interest already, even though it has been out there only for about two weeks.

We haven't made an offer.

Yet.

But we plan to, if it will only wait for us!

[Evil Twin's Wife]

That house is HERE? Wow. I've never seen it. Did you make an offer? We haven't been as hard hit by the housing mess, but they're not exactly flying off the shelves here, either. It's a buyers' market here.

[Marsha]

I would sell a kidney for that house. Too bad you cannot just take all your vacation at the beginning of the year, find a job and just do it. That is what I mean about the leaving is the hard part for me. Not that I am sad to go but that I am impatient to be there.

Next post you have to tell us where your dear son will be staying if not going with you.