Trading cotillions for terrible towels
Remember this post where you all kindly weighed in on what color I should paint my kitchen? Let’s put in a pin in that discussion, shall we? Because I might need your advice again – for my next kitchen. Just 12 days after that post, I have to announce that I am selling my dream house and we are heading home.
(I loved working downtown even if I didn’t love my job. They towed my car up from the wharf as the river rose no fewer than 4 times. But damn parking is ridiculously expensive downtown and the wharf was the cheapest option.)
Why yes, we did just buy this house 6 months ago. And yes, I did just finish unpacking a few boxes that were originally packed 4 years ago when we left Pittsburgh. And as a matter of fact, I did say that I was never moving again and Steve would have to drag my cold, dead body out of this house. *Awkward chuckle* Never say never and all of that.
Steve was offered a dream job. It happens to be in Pittsburgh. We couldn’t turn it down. So off we go. Again.
Please be prepared for several months of my being mopey and moany and verklempt. I am very sad to be leaving the amazing women who have made this period of my life so much fun. Being a stay at home mom, especially in a new place, can be isolating and lonely but I met a great group of women who embraced me and my special brand of crazy quirky. I will miss them terribly. I thought we would do the PTA thing together while figuring out what we wanted to be when we became grown ups again. Instead, I am heading back to Pittsburgh which holds family but few real friends. (Not that I don’t consider my inlaws friends as well as family – I do. But you know what I mean.) I won’t go into the long story of what happened with Steve’s group of friends after we left – the end result is returning to very few folks we would call for dinner on Saturday night. It makes leaving my friends here even more difficult. Also? I am bitter about only getting to keep my dream house for 6 months. Wah, wah – I know, my husband has been offered not just a job but a dream job in a time when many people are scrambling for jobs so I really shouldn’t whine. But, fair warning, I probably will.
In the long run, I know this will be a great thing for my little family. My girls will get to live near family. My husband will be fulfilled professionally. In 5 years, I have no doubt I will be so glad we did this. But for now, I’m focusing on the things I need to get done. And trying not to complain too loudly about the fact that I will be a single mom for the next several months while Steve starts his exciting new job. And I’ll try not to belabor the fact that yet again I am left to pack up a house by myself and put it on the market. Really, I will try not to make you all roll your eyes as me too much when I have pity parties here at casa de Smiles. Because I am blessed with an amazing husband. We are starting yet another adventure together back where it all started. I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else. Home is where we are. Everything else is gravy.