Taking A Permanent Vacation~

Remember how I wrote this post not long ago? I alluded to big news that could change my life, something that might drastically alter my path. Well I revealed the news yesterday....

We're moving to Pensacola, Florida. That was my secret that I couldn't wait to share! (No, I'm not pregnant! I don't even want to think about another child for at least another year, probably two years.) By mid-October, we'll be residents of the sunshine state. My husband received a job offer that we cannot refuse. A fresh start in my life is just what I need. I'm very excited about this (and nervous too of course)!

Honestly, I'm overjoyed to be moving on and elsewhere. Most people know that I have not been living happily here in Montgomery, Alabama. This area has never felt like "home" to my family and me. From the day we moved here (May 2008) until today, we have been anxious to leave. We always knew our time here was just temporary. Although I have met GREAT people here, formed wonderful friendships, enhanced my career and discovered new things about myself, I'm ready to close this chapter of my life and start a new one.

Packing boxes should not be too difficult since we haven't even completely unpacked from our move from Ohio to Alabama (2008). And some of those boxes are even leftover and unpacked from our first move from Louisiana to Ohio (2005). We never had enough room for all our "stuff" in the rent house we are in now. Hopefully our next home will be just the right size for us (or we'll just rid ourselves of the "stuff").

This move will put us closer to our family who lives in Louisiana. Instead of a nearly six-hour drive, my parents will only have a four-hour drive. My dad is already mapping the first road trip there and says he cannot wait to create a jogging route too. My mom is always lying around in the sun reading a book anyway (my folks are mostly-retired) so she might as well have a better view from our place.

I wonder what new friends I will make there. I've already located a mom's group that I might join. With the naval base in Pensacola, there seems to be a lot of activities and clubs. I have never had a problem going out and trying to meet new folks, thankfully. I hope to join some professional development groups as well. The lovely writer at Cougar Tales was just talking about how she plans to join Toastmasters and that intrigues me. Therefore, I may look into finding something similar in order to continue developing my communication skills.

The Florida panhandle offers many events and festivals that I'm excited about possibly attending. I look forward to being near fresh seafood markets and restaurants again. Nothing quite like shrimp, crabs and crawfish from the Gulf of Mexico. Oh how I've missed these delectable dishes at my fingertips.



I'm looking forward to pursuing a higher education as well. For the past two weeks, I have been researching courses at The University of West Florida in Pensacola. I want to return to school, even if it's just on a part-time basis. At the very least, I want to take classes on writing and follow other interests of mine. I welcome the chance to be challenged again.

For awhile, I will be a stay at home mom to Vivian. I'm both delighted and extremely scared about that! The last time I stayed home with her was when we first moved to Alabama; she was six months old and I stayed home with her until she was nine months old before I returned to the workforce. And I nearly went crazy for those three months! But she's older now (almost two years old) so hopefully I can locate educational and fun things for she and I to do, to fill our days. We will need lots of distractions to prevent us from killing each other. I know that being a full-time mom within the home is the hardest job around so we'll see if I'm up for the challenge.

Perhaps the quality time at home will afford me the chance to look deeper into my faith. I can explore resources and use my energy to figure out where I stand on a few concerns in my life. I look forward to a greater sense of self-discovery.

Of course there are several negative things about moving to Florida....

My body is NOT even close to being "beach bikini" ready. In fact, I hate wearing a one-piece bathing suit. Also, I will have to stock up on sun screen, SPF 100+ since I'm so pale. Vivian hates pools and sandy beaches so this will be an interesting transition for her. Our poor dog, Bono, I feel most sorry for him. He's a Shetland Sheepdog born in Ohio and built for cold weather but we keep moving him further south into the heat and humidity.

From now on, I won't know if family and friends are coming to visit to spend quality time with me or if they are just looking for a place to hang out that is close to the beach. After all, I've already had a dozen people say to me, "Oh, I'll see you next summer! I'll be staying at your place." Oh really? Umm, okay.

I worry about other issues too - What if Kirk hates the new job? Will I grow tired of living near the beach? (I thought I was more of a cabin girl, built for the mountains). What if I become bored there and get lost in the mundane? What if another hurricane hits Pensacola and I have to endure another Katrina saga in my life again? I've been through that and I don't want to face that situation again.

Despite these potential conflicts, Kirk and I believe this is the right move for our family. The craziest part is that we weren't even seeking a move to Pensacola (or Florida). Yet Florida found us and made us an offer. We didn't know we wanted to be there until the proposition came in. The Navy is paying us to relocate there and will help us pack. So we can't complain over too much moving stress. Plus, after careful research and several phone calls to people who have lived there, we became clear in our minds that the Panhandle is the next destination for our family.

Time will tell if our fate truly lies within Pensacola or elsewhere but I'm open to the possibilities of what may be. I need to put some pep back in my step and I hope to do it down in sunny Florida. I fully intend to make the most of this adventure.

I hope you'll join me as I discover a new place, meet new people and experience new thrills. I can't wait to tell you all about it.

If you could take a permanent vacation to a particular place, where would it be?