OK, I'm Stressed Out!

There I said it! It's no shame I suppose, but I was so hoping I'd be 'cool' (maybe impervious or just have it all together). No such luck. Packing/moving really undoes me. Thanks to Brian, I have fared better than I did through previous life experiences of a similar nature. He does know me and has taken steps to make it as easy as possible. Bless him!! He is doing the lion's share, as we say, as well as the tiger's, gorilla's, elephant's and not to be forgotten - the hippopotamus'! 

That being said, we are getting down to the nitty-gritty and it's hard to avoid or for Brian to soften the blows of the moving process. Why does this undo me? Who knows. Does it matter?

I can accept that I'm not 'cool'. The problem is that I haven't been as nice to Brian lately as I would like! Here he is being so great and... An apology is in order! I still thought I'd confess to you - I'm stressed and it's hitting me that I'm really moving! Where I know no one, which I have done before a couple of times, but... Most importantly, the reasons for moving haven't changed so I'm not freaking out (big difference). It's just a tough time - the unknown is full of promise but a little unsettling, too.

Not much else to say. I DO love adventures but transitions can be uncomfortable.

No Mystery at the Moment

Often it can be hard to determine just where the time goes. However, for me at this juncture in life, I know exactly where the time is going. People and packing. Those two things at the moment are not leaving a lot of time to write.

Nevertheless, I want to catch you up a bit on what's happening. The final papers for the sale of the house are signed. In two days our wonderful house will belong to another family! I'm sure they will enjoy it as much as we have!! We are able to stay an extra 2 weeks (part of the sale contract) to finish the packing and say our good-byes.

We are making steady progress on selling some of our belongings and packing up the rest. That steady progress is all thanks to Brian! He also knows I can get overwhelmed by all of this, therefore, what I need to deal with is brought in only in small sections. That way I just have this little bit to deal with right in front of me. The garage and the big picture are not something I have to delve into so I can make my steady progress bit by bit. I don't know what I'd do without him! Not planning on finding out!!

The people part has a much sadder tone to it. And yet, I don't look at it as a total cutting off of relationships! I can't deny it will be different but there is skype and actual visits, which I trust will go both ways!

I'm also excited for the new adventures ahead. What kind of house will we find? What communities will we get plugged into? Life in the tropics, who knows what that's like?! Ocean water I can swim in!! Lots and lots of sun, especially for Brian. :) So much more I'm sure with some ups and downs along the way. After all, bumps and twists and turns are part of life, and an adventure! Time will tell.

What's up with you?

How to Start

I've finished my morning routine - breakfast and reading. Naturally, coffee was included because how else would I move into the day? Is there some other way? Really? I M humble O, this is certainly the preferred method!

Mixed Emotions

I'm certainly a bit overdue. I'd say that there are primarily two reasons. I have been busy with all these upcoming changes, but as usual the biggest reason I haven't been writing is that I'm processing. Yes, processing the changes ahead. The house was well received judging by the fact that we had 7 offers within a week! So we are definitely moving, having accepted an offer over the listing price. :-)

There are so many emotions, and they range far and wide. A lot of wonderful things have happened in my life here in California. Let alone I've met some awesome people. Lifelong friends don't come along every day. It's difficult to leave such a place and not have mixed emotions.

I've visited numerous places in the States, but I've only lived in two states - Washington and California. I am a west coast girl. The US is so big there are many cultural climates, if you will, within it. When I visited Memphis, TN, probably 20 years ago, the money was the same as WA and the language was sort of the same. But it felt like the similarities to my Seattle home stopped there. Florida, where we are headed, is not the deep South, but geographically and otherwise it's a long way from California.

I can't imagine my home being anything other than the west coast. It's strange. There is a tearing of sorts in me to leave this side. It's one thing to live in Europe, which I did for 12 years. But that's not some other place in America. Funny how my roots are so well established without me fully realizing it. That being said, I am excited about the adventure of it all. We are also going to be able to live well under our monthly income. It may sound odd to be excited about that, but I am! California is expensive. We can live here obviously since we have been but no frills. Our expenses here also didn't allow for any of life's surprises. And life tends to throw a curve ball or two from time to time.

It feels right to make these changes on a practical level. The emotional side goes back and forth.