“Offhand, I’d say this mission is past the negotiation stage.” – Obi-Wan Kenobi, Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace
Because I know that you’ve all been losing sleep over the drama of my very exciting life, I’m happy to report that Dad Windu has received a job offer from a very good firm and will be starting within the month. Sadly, it will require a relocation several states away. Padawan Learner is, of course, taking this hardest as this is the only home he has ever known, but he is also being very understanding of the reason for this move. He has watched his dad do everything in his power to work a job search and keep us in the area, but he’s also aware that Michigan is just in a terrible state right now for DW’s line of work.
We’re trying to find all the different ways possible to keep PL in touch with his friends, and we have committed to traveling back to MI as often as practicable to see our friends and family. On FireFly Mom’s recommendation, we have given the task of hunting out interesting things to do and see in our new town to PL. I know he’ll do a wonderful job of it and is sure to find things that I would have never even thought twice about.
Initially, we’re going to be moving from a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 1800 sq ft home to an 865 sq ft apartment. Have you stopped laughing yet? While DW works these last two weeks (he’s currently a contract employee for his old firm) getting things re-allocated to other staff members, tying up loose ends, and doing some last-minute training (and then coming home to do last minute home improvement projects), I’ve been culling the house for things that are not absolutely, positively necessary. Anyone interested in a 4-piece, king-size sleigh bed set with matching night stand, armoire, and dresser with tri-fold mirror? What’s that? Why, yes, they are all gigantic pieces! If only I could go back and have a talk with my younger self…
Ah the marvellous power of hindsight. It sux. They do sound like gorgeous pieces of furniture says she wistfully. Bet they don’t come with free shipping though!
Are the homeschooling regs there much different from Michigan?
OMK – They require notification and either teacher supervision or annual testing. We’ll go the teacher supervision route, as it’s not too onerous.
That’s great news! Congratulations
Tough moving though huh.
I should fly over and move you! I am a PRO at this point..
Good news on the job!!
OMK – Yes, I’d love it, but you need your rest these days…
Great news on the job.
Moving is hard on kids, but tell him it will expand his friendship pool.
When we went to NM for a year, I got on some Yahoo groups for the area before we got there. By the time we were there I had some idea of where people got together and when. We actually went to a park day the day after we arrived and put faces on a lot of the names I had been talking to.
Good luck!!
OMK – I’ve just started getting a few of the Yahoo group emails, so that’s been very helpful.
Congratulation on the new job!
My parents always took more of a “don’t look back” stance when moving — they announced up front that we wouldn’t be visiting the old place often, and we needed to make new friends and put down new roots. Of course, we moved fairly often, so having 4 kids pining away for 4 (or more) different former homes would’ve driven them crazy, and rightly so.
I’ll admit I’m a wee bit jealous. But on the other hand my common sense is screeching, Are you out of your ever loving mind? because we’ve moved so much.
But I do love the adventure of a new area and meeting new people! So I’m excited for you but also very well aware of the emotions of the whole deal.
Oh, btw….we lived in a 848 square foot house for several months once. It was one of my favorite places to live; life was simpler with less stuff around. But of course, one kid’s “bedroom” was the couch.
I would love to move. I’m not a fan of our area. However, I am a an of DH being employed, so I think we’ll stay. James is not a fan of change, so in theory, he loves to talk about just traveling around in a camper – he would hate it. I feel for you and PW.
I hope your next home is welcoming.
I’m so happy for you! Transition is hard, but the stress of looking for a job must make that seem minor in comparison.
OMK – Most definitely!
Yay! New Job! I’m betting you’ll fall in love with your new home and wonder why you didn’t move years ago!
As you know, we are excited/apprehensive/overjoyed/nervous and all similar emotions for all of you. DEFINITELY feeling for PL, as moving away from the only home you’ve ever known has got to be really difficult. Here’s hoping he finds LOTS of exciting things to do in your new area to distract him from the move and to help you get acquainted with your new digs. Best of luck!!! (Don’t envy you having to haul a king size sleigh bed, though!!)
OMK – The bedroom set is, unfortunately, going to be a casualty of the move.
Does your computer have a webcam? If so, PL can Skype with his friends between visits. He can also play in a private game on XBox Live (I imagine PS3 has something similar) if he’s into video games. My kids use both, and it’s almost like their friends are here. Every. Flipping. Day.
Our laptop does, so we’ve installed Skype for him.
“and it’s almost like their friends are here. Every. Flipping. Day.”
*snort* The unexpected side effect of on-demand technology.